Shepherd’s pie is a lot of things: delicious, comforting, and easy (and cheap) to make. But what exactly is the iconic Irish dish—and is it the same thing as cottage pie?
What Is Shepherd’s Pie?
Cooking dinner shouldn't be complicated
A shepherd’s pie is a savory pie made with minced meat and topped with a layer of mashed potatoes.
The filling for the dish is typically cooked in a gravy with onions, peas, celery, and/or carrots.
Basically, shepherd’s pie is the comfort food to end all comfort foods.
Shepherd’s Pie vs. Cottage Pie
“Shepherd’s pie” and “cottage pie” are often used interchangeably, though they’re not the same thing.
They have almost everything in common, save for one defining difference: Shepherd’s pie is made with lamb, while cottage pie is made with beef.
History of Shepherd’s Pie
Aside from its deep Irish roots, we don’t know much about shepherd’s pie’s exact origins.
Legend has it that the dish was invented by frugal housewives sometime in the 18th- or 19th-centuries.
The shepherd’s pie is supposedly a product of that frugality: Instead of wastefully throwing food in the trash, the penny-pinching cooks threw all their leftovers into one dish and called it a day.
Here’s what we do know for sure:
Cottage pie was actually a thing before its lamb-filled counterpart.
It came about around the same time potatoes, which were affordable for peasants who often lived in cottages, were introduced to the U.K. The dish became a staple in peasant households, and that’s how it got its name.
Variations
Though you’re likely most familiar with the standard Irish shepherd’s pie, you may not know about the plenty of variants that exist across the globe:
- A Cumberland pie is a shepherd’s or cottage pie with an added layer of breadcrumbs and cheese.
- A shepherdless pie is a vegetarian version made without meat.
- Pâté chinois, the Canadian take on the meat pie, is made with creamed corn.
- A St. Stephen’s Day pie is a cottage pie made with turkey and ham instead of beef.
- People in Britain sometimes eat fish pies topped with mashed potatoes.
- In France, a shepherd’s pie is called Hachis Parmentier.
- In Indonesia, pastel tutup is a similar dish made with chicken and topped with mashed potatoes.
How to Make Shepherd’s Pie
The beauty of shepherd’s pie is that it’s incredibly easy to make. Since it’s just a mishmash of different ingredients, you’ve got a lot of leeway when it comes to preparation.
To make the most traditional shepherd’s pie possible, line a pie pan (bottom and all sides) with mashed potatoes, add a minced or ground lamb and vegetable mix, then top with more mashed potatoes and bake.
Modern versions of the iconic dish vary widely, from the addition of homemade or store-bought pie crusts to diet-friendly options (like this Keto Shepherd’s Pie).
Shepherd’s Pie Recipes
Try one of our favorite twists on the classic meat pie:
- Classic Shepherd’s Pie
- Keto Shepherd’s Pie
- Easy Tex-Mex Shepherd’s Pie
- Spring Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie
- One-Pan Portabella Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie
Source: Read Full Article