How To Make Easy Shepherd's Pie
Britain is not known for fine cuisine, but they have still introduced to the world some real favorites. One of these is shepherd’s pie, which is a wholesome, savory dish made with minced lamb, potatoes and vegetables. It can be eaten as a meal on its own, while it can also be served alongside other foods.
In addition to being delicious and filling, a shepherd’s pie is also quite easy to make. It is something that even people who are not usually good in the kitchen can do a good job of. Below, we have listed some simple instructions on how to make an easy shepherd’s pie for yourself.
1. Boil Potatoes
The first thing you should do is put 900 g of potatoes on to boil. This is to allow you to work on the other ingredients while you are waiting for the potatoes to get suitably soft.
First, wash and then peel the potatoes, cutting them into quarters or halves if they are a large variety. Place the potatoes into a large pot or saucepan and fill with water, making sure to cover them with at least an inch of water. Add just a little salt and then turn up the heat until the water comes to the boil. Once the water has started boiling, reduce the heat again to leave the potatoes on simmer.
2. Prepare Veggies
Which vegetables you have in your Shepherd’s pie is really up to you, but most people go for onions, carrots, and garden peas. Peel your onions and then chop them into small pieces. Also peel your carrots and chop them into your desired size. Add 1 tbsp of oil to a saucepan and gently heat.
Add in the onions and carrots that you prepared earlier, and also add garden peas if you have them. Leave them on the stove for just a few minutes until they are soft. Make sure not to have the oil on too high to prevent losing too much flavor.
3. Add the Lamb
Remember that to make Shepherd’s pie, you should use minced lamb. (Shepherds keep sheep). You could also use minced beef if you prefer, although this is known as a cottage pie instead. Which meat you choose is the only difference between them, and you can choose according to which you prefer and/or what is available to you at the time.
When the vegetables have been softened, it is time to add the lamb (or beef). Take 500 g of minced lamb and crumble it into the saucepan, remembering to turn up the heat first. Pour away any excess oil and stir in the lamb until it has browned.
4. Worcestershire Sauce
Shepherd’s pie is an British dish, so it makes sense to add a well-known British sauce: Worcestershire sauce. This sauce is excellent for meat dishes and goes well with steak, soups, and even burgers. It is also often used when making Welsh rarebit (which is basically cheese on toast).
Once your lamb has been suitably browned, you should add some Worcestershire sauce to help give the meat some more flavor. Once the sauce has been added, continue to cook the lamb for just a few more minutes. Make sure not to overdo it because you don’t want the lamb to get dry.
5. Simmer
When your lamb is ready, it is time to add some stock, so you will need to ensure that you have used a large enough saucepan. Beef stock is usually best, and you can choose to make your own stock or use a packet stock.
You will need to prepare 500 g of stock, which you will then pour into the saucepan with the lamb and vegetables. With your stock added, bring everything to a simmer and then cover the pan. You should then leave this to cook slowly for around 40 minutes. This will give you time to start preparing the next stages.
6. Mash
When your potatoes are suitably soft, it is time to make the mash. If they are not soft all the way through then you will need to boil them for a little longer. You can check by using a knife or a fork to see if they are soft in the center. First, though, turn the oven up to 350 F.
Drain the water from the potatoes and then cut them into small chunks. Then, get to work on mashing the potatoes with a masher. For extra creaminess, add 3 tbsp milk and 85 g butter. Mash until the potatoes have no lumps remaining and take on a light, fluffy texture.
7. Bake
You should then take a casserole dish or similar; whatever you use should be suitable for use in an oven. Pour the lamb and vegetables into the dish, making sure they are spread evenly. Then add the mash on top, making sure it also is spread evenly.
You should use a fork to roughen up the surface of the mash before putting it in the oven. When ready, place the pie in the oven for around 20-25 minutes. You will be able to tell that the pie is ready because the juices will be bubbling up around the edges of the dish. You should also notice that the mash has become browned.
8. Cheese Topping
For many people, this will be the most important part of any Shepherd’s pie. You should grate some cheddar cheese and add it to the top of the mash. Then, place it into the oven or under a grill until the cheese is lightly burned.
Not only does this help to make your Shepherd’s pie more appealing aesthetically, but it also tastes delicious. Remember to leave it under the grill for long enough to make sure that the cheese is done well enough to give that incredible burnt cheese flavor. Bear in mind also that a strong English cheddar cheese is the best for the job.
9. Freezing
Another of the great things about making a Shepherd’s pie is that it can be frozen, or at last chilled, to make for a nutritious and convenient meal at some point in the future. This makes it ideal for people who are often busy. All you need to do is thaw it out and heat in the oven or in the microwave and your meal is ready.
You can make it even more convenient for yourself by making serving-sized versions of shepherd’s pies. Use silver foil baking trays, for example, to make several Shepherd’s pies, each just the right size for one person.
10. Add Gravy
When cooked just right, the juices from the meat should hopefully make your Shepherd’s pie juicy and succulent. Still, this doesn’t mean that you cannot add some gravy to help make your meal even more succulent still. A beef gravy should be just right for the job, but feel free to use whichever type of gravy you prefer.
While a Shepherd’s pie is a meal on its own, feel free to add some more items to your plate. Some more vegetables would be a great idea while fries and garlic bread also make good options. If you want something to wash it down with, then some red wine will complement the meal well.
