Foodstuffs

Shepherd’s Pie is a traditional Irish comfort food made with a rich ground lamb filling, vegetables, and topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Baked until golden and crispy, it’s a hearty dish perfect for cold evenings and family gatherings.

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📝 Ingredients:

For the Filling:

• 500g ground lamb (or beef for Cottage Pie)
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 carrots (diced)
• 1 cup peas
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Mashed Potato Topping:

• 1 kg potatoes (peeled and cut into chunks)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

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👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1️⃣ Make the Filling:

1. In a large pan, sauté onion and garlic until softened.
2. Add ground lamb, cooking until browned.
3. Stir in carrots, peas, tomato paste, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Simmer for 20 minutes until thickened.

2️⃣ Prepare the Mashed Potatoes:

1. Boil potatoes until tender.
2. Mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.

3️⃣ Assemble the Shepherd’s Pie:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F).
2. Spread the meat filling in a baking dish.
3. Top with mashed potatoes, smoothing the surface. Use a fork to create texture.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

4️⃣ Serve:

Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy with a side of steamed vegetables or a green salad.

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✅ Pros:

• Hearty and comforting meal
• Great for meal prep and leftovers
• Customizable with different vegetables

❌ Cons:

• Takes time to assemble and bake
• Can be heavy for some diets