Shepherd’s pie, a classic comfort food dish, is traditionally made with ground lamb, vegetables, and a creamy mashed potato topping. Here’s a simple recipe you can follow:
### Ingredients:
#### For the Meat Filling:
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 2 carrots, peeled and diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb (substitute with ground beef for a Cottage Pie)
– 1 cup frozen peas
– 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
– 2 tablespoons tomato paste
– 1 cup beef or chicken broth
– 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
– Fresh thyme and rosemary, chopped (about 1 teaspoon each)
– Salt and pepper to taste
#### For the Mashed Potato Topping:
– 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
– 1/2 cup milk (or heavy cream for richer potatoes)
– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 egg yolk (optional, for extra richness)
### Instructions:
1. **Preheat your oven** to 400°F (200°C).
2. **Prepare the Mashed Potatoes:**
– Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes.
– Drain and return them to the pot. Add milk, butter, and season with salt and pepper.
– Mash until smooth and creamy. Stir in the egg yolk if using.
– Set aside.
3. **Make the Meat Filling:**
– Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and garlic, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
– Increase the heat to medium-high, add the ground lamb, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
– Stir in the tomato paste, peas, corn, broth, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer until the mixture is thickened, about 10 minutes.
4. **Assemble the Pie:**
– Transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes over the top, using a fork to create ridges (these will brown nicely).
– Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the potato topping is golden brown.
5. **Serve:** Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade shepherd’s pie!
This recipe is quite versatile, allowing for adjustments based on personal preferences or dietary restrictions. Feel free to add other vegetables you like or adjust the seasoning to taste.
