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| How
Do I Make ... ? |
Shepherds Pie |
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Expats will already know that Chinese
people do not eat any types of pie - it is simply not
in their cuisine. Martino's Restaurant in Foshan does
make an excellent Shepherds Pie, but this is the only
one we have ever found in the whole of China. So if
you like this and do not live in Foshan, you will have
to make it yourself.
The ingredients are easy to locate, but you will need
something to use as an oven, as a normal Chinese kitchen
does not have an oven.
Definitions:
Many dishes are sold as being Shepherds Pie, but some
are not.
• Shepherds Pie is
made using minced (Ground) lamb or mutton. It is normally
served with a little cheese on the top.
•
Cottage Pie is the correct term for the virtually
identical dish made using minced beef. In USA this is
called Shepherds Pie confusingly! I am sure American
Shepherd's do not herd cattle. Here is USA!
•
Ocean Pie is similar, but uses cuts of different
fish and shellfish as the main ingredients instead of
meat.
• You can use any meat, as this is
a rustic recipe ideally suited to throwing whatever
you have handy into the pot. There are pork and chicken
versions, but remember that if you are experimenting
in this way, then you may need to adjust the herbs and
vegetables accordingly. For instance, Cottage pie made
with minced beef often has parsnips in it.
Vegetables:
The standard recipe calls for Onion, Carrots and Celery.
Whilst the white onions and celery are pretty essential,
carrots can often made this dish slightly sweet. The
same is true if you add a little sweet corn or use red
onions. Another option is to add some garden peas, as
a colourful presentation is also important once you
have mastered the basics. Leeks are also another common
ingredient, especially in the beef version. For a more
savoury palate, replace the carrots and sweet corn with
broad beans - works a treat! We will keep it simple
to begin.
Recipe Source:
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Elise, USA |
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| Websites: |
| Simply Recipes |
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| Elise gives a good basic recipe for Cottage
Pie, which we have adapted for British Shepherds
Pie using minced lamb as made by Jonno's Mother.
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| Let's get started:- British Shepherds
Pie |
| Ingredients: |
Picture courtesy of imBella |
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• 1 1/2 lbs minced (Ground) beef
• 1 white onion chopped
• 1-2
cups vegetables - chopped celery, carrots, corn,
peas
• 1 1/2 - 2 lbs potatoes (3
big ones)
• 1/2 pound of butter
• 1/2 cup beef broth or gravy
• 1
teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt,
pepper, other seasonings of choice
•
Grated cheddar cheese for topping
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| Method |
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1. Peel and quarter
potatoes, boil in salted water until tender (about
20 minutes).
2. While the
potatoes are cooking, melt 4 Tablespoons butter
(1/2 a stick) in large frying pan.
3.
Sauté onions in butter until tender over
medium heat (10 mins).Add vegetables, add them
according to cooking time. Put the celery and
any carrots in with the onions. Add corn or peas
either at the end of the cooking of the onions,
or after the meat has initially cooked.
4. Add minced lamb and sauté
until no longer pink. Add Worcestershire sauce
and pepper. Add half a cup of broth or gravy
and begin to cook. Add salt after a few minutes
and continue cooking uncovered over low heat for
10 minutes, adding more broth as necessary to
keep meat moist.
5. Mash potatoes in bowl
with butter, season to taste. 3 oz of butter should
produce a creamy texture, but if it is too thick,
add a little fresh whole milk - not too much!
6. Place meat mixture in baking
dish. Distribute mashed potatoes on top. Score
with a knife or fork so that there are peaks that
will brown nicely. You can make artistic designs
in the potatoes as well.
7. Lightly
glaze with a little butter for a golden brown
topping.
8. Sprinkle a little
finely grated Cheddar cheese over the top to finish.
9. Cook in 400 degree oven (220C)
until bubbling and brown (about 30 minutes). |
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| Additional Recipes and Information: |
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Videojug again provide an excellent video
walkthrough, although we prefer the above recipe
to the one they give. |
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This website offers a simple recipe and
an expert version. We think this shows just how
diverse and adaptable this dish can be. Please
scroll down the page for main content. |
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This blog gives a very different and interesting
twist, and is very well worth viewing by anyone
looking for a more 'Italian Style' version. |
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Another interesting recipe that we suggest you
look at - the permutations really are endless! |
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This information is as supplied by ourselves, and ably
supported by our friends and various internet portals.
In addition we personally wish to thank Elise
of Simply Recipes and Jonno's Mother for sharing
with us all their excellent skills and recipes. |
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