Savory Shepherd's Delight Pie
This Savory Shepherd's Delight Pie is the epitome of comfort food, combining tender lamb with a medley of aromatic vegetables and rich herbs, all encased in a golden topping that will surely warm your heart. The journey begins with fragrant lamb shoulder, simmered long and slow until it is melt-in-your-mouth tender, then mingled with the earthy sweetness of carrots and celery, complemented by the depth of red wine and savory beef stock. Topped with luxurious ricotta cheese and creamy sweet potatoes, this dish is not just a meal, but a nostalgia-laden experience that gets everyone gathered around the table to share stories and laughter. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy evenings in, this pie brings generations together, each bite a testament to love and comfort.
6
Servings
600
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
3 tablespoons (for cooking)
Lamb shoulder meat
2 pounds (diced)
Salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Onion
1 (finely chopped)
Celery ribs
2 (finely chopped)
Carrots
2 (finely chopped)
Garlic cloves
3 (finely chopped)
Red wine
1 cup (for deglazing)
Beef stock
34 ounces (for braising)
Bay leaves
2 (for flavoring)
Thyme
3 sprigs (for flavoring)
Rosemary stalks
2 (for flavoring)
Ricotta cheese
1 cup (for topping)
Sweet potatoes
2 large (peeled and chopped)
Butter
1 tablespoon (for mixing with potatoes)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
2
In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the diced lamb shoulder with salt and pepper, and brown in batches until golden on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the lamb and set aside.
3
In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, then add the chopped onion, garlic, celery, and carrots. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are softened and slightly caramelized.
4
Return the browned lamb to the pot, then pour in the red wine. Allow the wine to bubble and reduce for about 1-2 minutes, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
5
Stir in the beef stock, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and an additional pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, and transfer to the preheated oven. Let it cook for 4-6 hours, or until the lamb is fork-tender and falling apart.
6
Once cooked, remove the pot from the oven, and place it on the stovetop. Remove the lid and simmer over medium heat until the sauce reduces by one-third.
7
In a separate pot, bring water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Cook the sweet potatoes for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Drain, then mix the sweet potatoes with butter in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
8
Turn on the broiler (grill) in your oven. Spoon the ricotta cheese over the lamb mixture, followed by the sweet potato mash, creating a beautiful layered effect. Broil for 5-7 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
9
Serve immediately, bringing the Dutch oven straight to the table for a hearty and communal dining experience.
Nutrition Information
31.7g
Fat
41.7g
Carbs
33.3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Shepherd's Delight Pie?
It is a comfort food dish featuring tender lamb shoulder simmered with aromatic vegetables, herbs, red wine, and beef stock, topped with ricotta cheese and sweet potato mash.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 pounds of diced lamb shoulder meat.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe makes approximately 6 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains 600 calories.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 33.3g of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 31.7g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 41.7g of carbohydrates per serving.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 300°F (150°C).
How long does the lamb need to cook in the oven?
The lamb should braise for 4 to 6 hours until it is fork-tender.
What vegetables are needed for the filling?
The filling includes 1 onion, 2 celery ribs, and 2 carrots, all finely chopped.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 3 finely chopped garlic cloves.
What is used to deglaze the pot?
One cup of red wine is used for deglazing after browning the meat and vegetables.
What type of stock is used for the sauce?
The recipe uses 34 ounces of beef stock.
Which herbs are used for flavoring?
Flavoring is provided by 2 bay leaves, 3 sprigs of thyme, and 2 stalks of rosemary.
How are the sweet potatoes prepared?
Two large sweet potatoes are peeled, chopped, boiled for 8-10 minutes, and then mashed with butter.
What makes the topping unique?
The topping features a layer of ricotta cheese underneath the sweet potato mash for a luxurious effect.
How much butter is added to the sweet potatoes?
One tablespoon of butter is mixed with the sweet potatoes.
How much olive oil is used?
A total of 3 tablespoons of olive oil is used for browning the lamb and sautéing vegetables.
How do you brown the lamb?
The diced lamb is seasoned with salt and pepper and browned in batches for 5-7 minutes.
What is the final cooking step to brown the top?
The pie is placed under the broiler (grill) for 5-7 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
Should the sauce be reduced after oven cooking?
Yes, once out of the oven, the sauce should be simmered on the stovetop until reduced by one-third.
How much ricotta cheese is needed?
The recipe uses 1 cup of ricotta cheese.
Is this a good recipe for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a nostalgic, communal dish perfect for family gatherings or cozy evenings.
How should the dish be served?
It should be served immediately, ideally brought straight to the table in the Dutch oven.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
How long do you sauté the vegetables?
The onion, garlic, celery, and carrots should be sautéed for 5-7 minutes.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include lamb pie, comfort food, family recipe, and sweet potato.
Can I cook this on the stovetop the whole time?
The recipe specifically instructs braising in the oven for several hours for optimal tenderness.
Is the lamb shoulder cooked whole or diced?
The lamb shoulder should be diced before cooking.
What equipment is needed?
A large Dutch oven and a separate pot for boiling potatoes are the primary tools needed.