Ultimate Lamb Shepherd's Pie
Indulge in the heartwarming flavors of this Ultimate Lamb Shepherd's Pie, a classic English dish that artfully combines savory minced lamb, a medley of aromatic herbs, and a creamy mashed potato topping. Perfect for cozy dinners, this recipe invokes the nostalgia of warm pub lunches and celebrates traditional comfort food at its finest. Rich in flavor and generous in portion, it's a splendid meal to share with family and friends that intertwines history and homely goodness with every bite.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground lamb
700 g (Use fresh and lean ground lamb.)
Guinness stout
half a can (Use to marinate the lamb.)
onion
1 large (Diced.)
carrot
1 (Diced (optional).)
garlic cloves
2 (Chopped.)
dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon (Dried.)
dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon (Dried.)
dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon (Dried.)
English parsley
1/2 cup (Chopped.)
Worcestershire sauce
75 ml (For flavoring.)
flour
2 teaspoons (For thickening.)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (For sautéing.)
salt & pepper
to taste (For seasoning.)
potato
1 kg (Peel, boil, and mash.)
salted butter
to taste (To mix into mashed potatoes.)
cream
to taste (To mix into mashed potatoes.)
milk
to taste (To mix into mashed potatoes.)
nutmeg powder
a dash (For seasoning mashed potatoes.)
Instructions
1
Begin by marinating the ground lamb with half a can of Guinness stout. Cover and store it in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight to enhance the flavor.
2
In a hot skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the marinated minced lamb and brown it thoroughly. Use a large sieve to strain the cooked mince, separating the meat from the juices.
3
In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if necessary and sauté the diced onions, chopped garlic, and optional carrots until they are fragrant and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
4
Stir in the cooked minced lamb and combine everything evenly. Sprinkle in the dried marjoram, rosemary, and thyme, mixing well to allow the herbs to become aromatic.
5
Pour the reserved juices from the minced lamb back into the pan, along with the Worcestershire sauce and half of the chopped English parsley. Stir the mixture thoroughly.
6
Let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. When it starts to bubble, sprinkle the flour to thicken the sauce, and season with salt and pepper to your taste.
7
Meanwhile, peel, cube, and boil the potatoes in salted water until soft. Once cooked, drain and mash the potatoes with a generous knob of salted butter, cream, and a splash of milk. Season with salt, pepper, and a dash of nutmeg powder for added warmth.
8
Transfer the cooked lamb mixture into a large Pyrex dish, spreading it out evenly. Carefully layer the creamy mashed potatoes on top, sealing the edges to prevent spillage during baking.
9
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (356°F) and bake the pie for 20 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden and crispy.
10
For the perfect complement, serve hot with boiled cabbage and carrots drizzled with butter, garnished with the remaining parsley.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary protein used in this recipe?
The primary protein is 700 grams of fresh and lean ground lamb.
What is used to marinate the ground lamb?
The lamb is marinated with half a can of Guinness stout.
How long should the lamb be marinated?
The lamb should be marinated for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight in the fridge to enhance the flavor.
Why do I need a sieve when cooking the lamb?
A large sieve is used to strain the cooked mince, separating the meat from the juices which are reserved for later use in the sauce.
What vegetables are included in the aromatic base?
The base includes one large diced onion, two chopped garlic cloves, and an optional diced carrot.
How long should the onions and garlic be sautéed?
They should be sautéed for about 5 to 7 minutes until they become fragrant and translucent.
Which dried herbs are added to the lamb mixture?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon each of dried marjoram, dried rosemary, and dried thyme.
What liquid ingredients are added to the simmering meat?
The reserved juices from the lamb and 75 ml of Worcestershire sauce are added to the pan.
How long does the lamb mixture simmer?
The mixture should simmer on low heat for approximately 20 minutes.
How is the lamb sauce thickened?
The sauce is thickened by sprinkling in 2 teaspoons of flour once the mixture starts to bubble.
How many potatoes are needed for the topping?
You will need 1 kg of potatoes for the mashed topping.
What ingredients are mixed into the mashed potatoes?
The potatoes are mashed with salted butter, cream, milk, salt, pepper, and a dash of nutmeg powder.
Why is nutmeg added to the potatoes?
Nutmeg powder is added to the mashed potatoes to provide extra warmth and depth of flavor.
In what kind of dish should the pie be assembled?
The lamb mixture and potato topping should be layered in a large Pyrex dish.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 180 degrees Celsius (356 degrees Fahrenheit).
How long does the Shepherd's Pie bake?
The pie needs to bake for 20 to 30 minutes.
What is the visual cue that the pie is done?
The pie is ready when the potato topping becomes golden and crispy.
What are the suggested side dishes for serving?
It is best served hot with boiled cabbage and carrots drizzled with butter.
What type of parsley is used in this recipe?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of chopped English parsley.
How is the English parsley divided in the recipe?
Half of the chopped parsley is stirred into the meat mixture, and the remaining half is used as a garnish.
Is olive oil used in this recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of olive oil are used for browning the lamb and sautéing the vegetables.
How should the edges of the potato topping be handled?
The edges of the mashed potatoes should be sealed against the dish to prevent the meat mixture from spilling out during baking.
Can I use different meat for a Shepherd's Pie?
Traditional Shepherd's Pie uses lamb; if beef were used, it would technically be called a Cottage Pie.
What is the total count of ingredients listed?
There are 18 ingredients in this Ultimate Lamb Shepherd's Pie recipe.
Is the carrot a mandatory ingredient?
No, the diced carrot is listed as an optional ingredient in this recipe.
What culture is this dish associated with?
This is a classic English dish often found in traditional pubs.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The two garlic cloves should be chopped before being added to the skillet.
How are the potatoes cooked before mashing?
They are peeled, cubed, and boiled in salted water until soft.
Can I substitute salted butter in the potatoes?
The recipe calls for a generous knob of salted butter for the best flavor and texture.
What describes the flavor profile of this pie?
It is described as a heartwarming, savory, and rich comfort food with aromatic herbs.