A hearty and comforting dish, Irish shepherd's pie has a rich culinary history in Ireland. Its origins can be traced back to the 1800s, where it was often served as a way to utilize leftover meat, and over time it has evolved into a classic dish enjoyed by people worldwide. The traditional recipe consists of a layer of minced lamb or beef mixed with vegetables, topped with a creamy mashed potato layer and baked until golden brown. The combination of savory meat filling and creamy potatoes creates a delectable symphony of flavors that is both satisfying and nostalgic. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to prepare an authentic Irish shepherd's pie, exploring various ingredients, techniques, and tips to ensure you create a mouthwatering dish that will transport you to the heart of Ireland.
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TRADITIONAL IRISH SHEPHERD'S PIE
Posting this per a request. I've said it once and I'll say it again there is nothing Irish about Corned Beef and Cabbage, but Shepherd's Pie has always been and still is a staple of traditional Irish cooking. This is a really easy, but tasty recipe that the whole family will enjoy. It's nutritionally sound with all the major food groups represented. The British use lamb in their Shepherd's Pie, but we've always used beef. Do whatever you prefer or even try turkey if you're watching fat content. This sauce is lovely and rich and should go well with any meat. You can use fresh or leftover mashed potato. I usually use 3 tbsp of ketchup instead of the 2tbsp of tomato paste as I like the hint of sweetness, but traditionally the paste would be more sound! You can also make individual pies which are always a hit with the kids. This freezes beautifully too, so make two and save one! Just let it defrost and glaze with the egg and pop into the oven as directed. Enjoy! :)
Provided by GrumpyIrishLady
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 40m
Yield 1 pie, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Pre-heat oven to 200C/400°F.
- Saute carrots in the olive oil until starting to get tender.
- Add in the onions and saute for a minute or two then add the meat.
- Season with black pepper and thyme.
- Cook until browned then drain fat.
- Add the butter and peas.
- Sprinkle with flour and stir through.
- Add tomato paste, wine and Worcestershire sauce.
- Let this reduce slightly then add the chicken stock. Allow to reduce down until you have a thick meaty gravy. Season to your taste.
- Remove from heat. Grease an oven proof dish** (9x13 works for me, as does an oval baker) with butter and add the sauce.
- Spoon or pipe the mashed potatoes over top. Brush with egg and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if using.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until the potato is nice and browned on top.
- Serve as is or with some crusty bread to mop up that yummy sauce!
THE BEST SHEPHERD'S PIE
We stuck with tradition and made our shepherd's pie with lamb, but you could easily swap in ground beef. The saucy filling is packed with tender vegetables and the creamy topping is inspired by the Irish potato dish, colcannon, and is filled with cabbage, leeks and cheese.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- For the topping: Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Season with 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and reserve the saucepan.
- Meanwhile, make the filling: Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots, onion, celery, garlic, thyme and 2 teaspoons salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and tender, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook until it turns brick red, about 8 minutes. Add the lamb, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until the meat is no longer pink, about 7 minutes.
- Stir in the peas. Stir in the flour until incorporated, about 1 minute. Add the broth and Worcestershire and cook until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes.
- To finish the topping, melt the butter in the large saucepan over medium heat. Add the cabbage and leeks and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the heavy cream, 1 tablespoon salt, and a few grinds of black pepper, and cook until warm, about 1 minute. Return the potatoes to the pan with the cabbage and add the cheese. Mash with a potato masher or wooden spoon. Remove from the heat and stir in the egg yolks.
- Transfer the filling to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add the topping, swirling to create texture. Make sure that the sides are sufficiently covered so the filling doesn't leak through. Bake until the filling is bubbly and the top is lightly golden, about 35 minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before serving.
IRISH SHEPHERD'S PIE
This makes a lovely alternative to the much more common corned beef and cabbage that you may have been planning for St. Patrick's Day dinner.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European UK and Ireland Irish
Time 1h35m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Place olive oil and butter in Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in onion and ground lamb; brown the meat, breaking it up into small crumbles as it cooks, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in flour until incorporated, then mix in salt, black pepper, rosemary, paprika, cinnamon, ketchup, and garlic; cook and stir until garlic is fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir in water and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the Dutch oven. Reduce heat to medium-low and bring mixture to a simmer; cook and stir until thick, about 5-6 minutes.
- Remove lamb mixture from heat and stir in peas and carrots until combined.
- Spread lamb mixture into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Place potatoes into a large pan of salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well and return potatoes to pan.
- Mash butter, cayenne pepper, cream cheese, and Irish cheese into the potatoes. Mash until combined and potatoes are smooth. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Whisk together egg yolk and milk in a small bowl; stir into the mashed potato mixture.
- Top the lamb mixture in the baking dish with the mashed potatoes and spread evenly to cover.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown and sauce is bubbling up around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 516.5 calories, Carbohydrate 37.2 g, Cholesterol 132.3 mg, Fat 28.3 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 29.2 g, SaturatedFat 13.3 g, Sodium 301 mg, Sugar 1.3 g
TRADITIONAL IRISH SHEPHERD'S PIE
Posting this per a request. I've said it once and I'll say it again there is nothing Irish about Corned Beef and Cabbage, but Shepherd's Pie has always been and still is a staple of traditional Irish cooking. This is a really easy, but tasty recipe that the whole family will enjoy. It's nutritionally sound with all the major food groups represented. The British use lamb in their Shepherd's Pie, but we've always used beef. Do whatever you prefer or even try turkey if you're watching fat content. This sauce is lovely and rich and should go well with any meat. You can use fresh or leftover mashed potato. I usually use 3 tbsp of ketchup instead of the 2tbsp of tomato paste as I like the hint of sweetness, but traditionally the paste would be more sound! You can also make individual pies which are always a hit with the kids. This freezes beautifully too, so make two and save one! Just let it defrost and glaze with the egg and pop into the oven as directed. Enjoy! :)
Provided by GrumpyIrishLady
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 40m
Yield 1 pie, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Pre-heat oven to 200C/400°F.
- Saute carrots in the olive oil until starting to get tender.
- Add in the onions and saute for a minute or two then add the meat.
- Season with black pepper and thyme.
- Cook until browned then drain fat.
- Add the butter and peas.
- Sprinkle with flour and stir through.
- Add tomato paste, wine and Worcestershire sauce.
- Let this reduce slightly then add the chicken stock. Allow to reduce down until you have a thick meaty gravy. Season to your taste.
- Remove from heat. Grease an oven proof dish** (9x13 works for me, as does an oval baker) with butter and add the sauce.
- Spoon or pipe the mashed potatoes over top. Brush with egg and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if using.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until the potato is nice and browned on top.
- Serve as is or with some crusty bread to mop up that yummy sauce!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 387.2, Fat 19.8, SaturatedFat 7.6, Cholesterol 115.9, Sodium 397.3, Carbohydrate 22.9, Fiber 4.2, Sugar 8.9, Protein 22.6
TRADITIONAL IRISH SHEPHERD'S PIE
Steps:
- Directions 1. Pre-heat oven to 200C/400°F. 2. Saute carrots in the olive oil until starting to get tender. 3. Add in the onions and saute for a minute or two then add the meat. 4. Season with black pepper and thyme. 5. Cook until browned then drain fat. 6. Add the butter and peas. 7. Sprinkle with flour and stir through. 8. Add tomato paste, wine and Worcestershire sauce. 9. Let this reduce slightly then add the chicken stock. Allow to reduce down until you have a thick meaty gravy. Season to your taste. 10. Remove from heat. Grease an oven proof dish** (9x13 works for me, as does an oval baker) with butter and add the sauce. 11. Spoon or pipe the mashed potatoes over top. Brush with egg and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if using. 12. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the potato is nice and browned on top. 13. Serve as is or with some crusty bread to mop up that yummy sauce!
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Use fresh, flavorful ingredients to make your shepherd's pie stand out. Look for high-quality ground lamb, fresh vegetables, and a good quality stock or broth.
- Brown the meat well: Browning the meat adds flavor and helps to develop the lamb's natural juices. Make sure to brown the meat in batches so that it doesn't steam.
- Don't skimp on the vegetables: Vegetables add flavor, texture, and nutrients to shepherd's pie. Use a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, celery, onions, and peas.
- Use a good quality stock or broth: The stock or broth you use will add a lot of flavor to the shepherd's pie. Use a high-quality stock or broth that is made with real ingredients.
- Season the shepherd's pie well: Don't be afraid to season the shepherd's pie with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices. This will help to bring out the flavors of the meat, vegetables, and stock.
- Let the shepherd's pie rest before serving: Letting the shepherd's pie rest before serving will help the flavors to meld and the pie to set. This will also make it easier to slice and serve.
Conclusion:
Shepherd's pie is a classic comfort food that is perfect for a cold night. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. With a few simple tips, you can make a shepherd's pie that is truly exceptional. So next time you are looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give shepherd's pie a try. You won't be disappointed!
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