DARINA ALLEN'S SHEPHERD'S PIE

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This is an adaptation of an irresistibly homey recipe from the Irish chef Darina Allen's cookbook "Grow Cook Nourish: A Kitchen Garden Companion in 500 Recipes." She devised it for leftover roast duck and gravy, but here, meaty duck legs are braised especially for the dish (they may be cooked up to 2 days in advance). The topping is an earthy blend of potato and parsnip, a brilliant counterpart to the rich saucy filling. To be true to the spirit of the recipe, you should feel free to replace the duck with other combinations of cooked meats, vegetables or mushrooms. You'll need 5 to 6 cups of filling in total.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, casseroles, main course

Time 3h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

6 duck legs, trimmed, at room temperature (about 3 pounds)
Salt and pepper
1 cup chopped onion
1 large carrot, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 thyme sprig
1 bay leaf
6 allspice berries
4 cups hot chicken broth, more as needed
1/2 cup red or white wine
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup diced onion
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 pounds medium yellow-fleshed (or russet) potatoes, peeled and cut in 1-inch chunks
1 1/2 pounds medium parsnips, peeled and cut in 1-inch chunks
6 tablespoons butter, plus 2 tablespoons for dotting the top
1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Cook the duck: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Season duck generously with salt and pepper. Place in a roasting pan in one layer. Scatter with onion, carrot and celery, thyme sprig, bay leaf and allspice, then add broth and wine (liquid will not cover). Roast, uncovered about 30 minutes, until skin has browned nicely. Turn legs over, cover pan tightly and return to oven. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees. Cook 1 hour, or until meat is quite tender when probed with a fork.
  • Remove legs from pan and set aside to cool on a baking sheet. Pour liquid from roasting pan into a measuring cup. There should be about 3 cups; add broth if necessary. Spoon off any rising fat (save if you wish for another use). When duck meat is cool enough to handle, pull it off the bones and roughly chop, discarding gristle and skin. (This step may be done up to 2 days in advance, if desired.)
  • Make the filling: In a wide, heavy skillet or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until softened and beginning to color, about 5 minutes. Add flour, stir well to coat and continue cooking until mixture is a nutty brown, about 5 minutes more. Slowly whisk in 2 cups of the braising liquid, whisking well as mixture thickens and reducing heat to a simmer. Taste and add more liquid as needed until you have a medium-thick gravy. Adjust the seasonings to taste. Off the heat, carefully fold in chopped duck meat and parsley. Transfer mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish or 4-quart casserole.
  • Meanwhile, make the topping: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add potatoes and parsnips. When water returns to the boil, adjust heat to a brisk simmer and cook until completely tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain in a colander, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Return potatoes and parsnips to pot and mash with 6 tablespoons butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper, thinning with a little cooking liquid if mixture seems dry.
  • When ready to bake, heat oven to 350 degrees. Drop large spoonfuls of the mash evenly over filling. Use a knife or spatula to spread mixture until it evenly covers the top. Cut the 2 tablespoons butter into small chunks, dot over the top, and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until bubbling at the edges and well browned on top, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1060, UnsaturatedFat 46 grams, Carbohydrate 46 grams, Fat 84 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 28 grams, SaturatedFat 33 grams, Sodium 1313 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams, TransFat 1 gram

maya gang
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This shepherd's pie is the perfect comfort food. It's warm, hearty, and satisfying.


Samir Zaland
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I've made this recipe several times and it's always a hit. It's a great way to use up leftover lamb, and it's also a very budget-friendly meal.


Mariam Fatima
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This is a great recipe for a family meal. It's hearty and filling, and it's sure to please everyone at the table.


Lala McCoy
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I highly recommend this recipe. It's a delicious and easy-to-make shepherd's pie that everyone will love.


Deus Lule
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The mashed potatoes are the perfect topping for this shepherd's pie. They're creamy and fluffy, and they add a touch of richness to the dish.


Robel Sk
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I love that this recipe uses ground lamb. It gives the shepherd's pie a unique flavor.


Condition Boyz
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This shepherd's pie is a great way to warm up on a cold winter day.


Liyakt Khan
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I made this recipe for a potluck and it was a huge success. Everyone raved about how delicious it was.


YEROON GEESSE “Yeroon Geesse” Abdurezak Kedir
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This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal. It's quick and easy to make, and it's always a hit with the kids.


mahima chowdhury
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I've never made shepherd's pie before, but this recipe made it easy. It turned out delicious and my whole family enjoyed it.


LaSha' Williams
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This is the best shepherd's pie I've ever had. The filling is rich and savory, and the mashed potatoes are perfectly fluffy.


SR media
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I made this for my family and they loved it! The lamb was tender and flavorful, and the mashed potatoes were creamy and smooth.


Fasial
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The instructions were easy to follow and the dish came out looking just like the picture. I will definitely be making this again!


Joy Okon
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This shepherd's pie is a great way to use up leftover lamb. It's also a very budget-friendly meal, which is always a plus.


Theto Kgomo
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I've made this recipe several times and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The flavors are rich and savory, and the mashed potatoes are perfectly creamy and fluffy.


Chicco Masilo
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Darina Allen's Shepherd's Pie is a classic comfort food dish that always hits the spot. The combination of ground lamb, vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes is simply irresistible.