Easy Shepherd's Pie

Easy Shepherd's Pie

This British dish was invented some 200 years ago and generally is cooked with Beef. It is also known as a Cottage Pie. An addition of few more veggies like leeks, celery, or even peas adds up to its taste. Well it all depends on the chef, how to make additions and alterations. Any ways a Shepherd's Pie always taste wonderful.

Preparation time  : 10 minutes
Cooking Time     : 40 minutes
Baking time         : 15 minutes
Difficulty             : Easy
Serves                  : 4 - 6

Ingredients :

450g Minced Lamb

300ml Lamb or Chicken Stock

700 gm Potatoes, peeled and boiled

2-3 Carrots, peeled and sliced

1 Onion, finely chopped

2 Green Chillies, seeded and finely chopped

2 tablespoon Vegetable Oil (use any, Sunflower, Soy or Canola)

2 Bay leaves

1 teaspoon Ground Cumin (dry roast the Cumin first to release the oil and add up the aroma)

25g plain Flour / Maida

1 tablespoon Tomato Puree (you can use packaged ones to save time)

Salt to taste

 Pepper Powder to taste

25 grams of Butter

4-5 tablespoons of Milk

50 grams of  Cheddar Cheese, grated

Method :

1. Peel and quarter potatoes, boil in salted water until tender (about 20 minutes).

2 .While the potatoes are cooking, melt Butter(10 grams) and 2 tablespoons of oil in large frying pan. This will prevent the butter from burning.  Add the Bay leaves.

3.  Add onions to the melted butter. Saute onions until tender over medium heat. Put carrots in with the onions.Add the seeded Chilies (This is very unlike an English recipe, but this will suit an Indian taste much better)

　

4. Add ground lamb and saute until no longer pink. Add salt and pepper and the Tomato puree. Mix well.

5. Add 200 mils of Lamb Stock and cook, uncovered, over low heat for 10 minutes, adding more lamb stock as necessary to keep moist.

6. Once the meat and veggies are fully cooked add Cumin powder. Now take out the bay leaves.

7. Slowly sprinkle the Plain flour and slowly incorporate. This will add a creamy texture to the mix and also help to soak up excess liquid, if any. 

8. Mash potatoes in bowl with remainder of butter and milk, stir well to form a smooth paste, season to taste.

　

9.Place cooked Lamb and Veggies in a baking dish. Distribute mashed potatoes on top. Rough up with a fork so that there are peaks that will brown nicely. You can use the fork to make some designs in the potatoes as well.

10. Lightly sprinkle the grated Cheddar on the top of the Potatoes.

11. Cook in 220 degree Centigrade oven until bubbling and brown (about 15 minutes). Broil for last few minutes if necessary to brown.

Note : You can add a dash of Dried Thyme or even a tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce to the dish to give it a total new dimension.