Making Cottage or Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's and cottage pies originated in Britain. I think they were ways of taking leftovers and making them into something different and delicious.

What we call shepherd's pie, made with ground beef, is actually cottage pie. Shepherd's pie is made with lamb, ground or small chunks, thus the "shepherd". Either way, they are both great examples of good comfort food.

I have seen many, many recipes for shepherd's pie. But I think it is one of those dishes that, if you know the basics of how it is made, doesn't need a recipe. It is easiest to make when you plan a good meal to have leftovers. My favorite uses leftover roast beef, gravy, vegetables, and mashed potatoes.

To make it this way, make a nice roast beef your favorite way, with lots of good, rich gravy. Make extra mashed potatoes, and extra veggies; whatever veggies you think would be good in your pie.

The next day, mix the drained veggies, and the meat, cut into bite-size chunks, into the gravy, and whatever herbs you like. Heat it on the stove until it's nice and bubbly. Put all of it into your baking pan, or casserole.

The next step is the mashed potatoes. You can mix some shredded cheese into them. Cheddar is traditional cheese. Then spread the potatoes across your meat mixture, covering it all. This is easiest when you warm up the potatoes in the microwave.

Then put it in a 325 degree F oven until it is heated through and the potatoes are lightly browned; about 30 minutes. You can sprinkle cheese across it now, then put it back in the oven until it is melted.

This can be made exactly the same using leftover roasted lamb. If you don't have gravy with your lamb, you can use jars of chicken or beef gravy. Rosemary is a wonderful seasoning with lamb.

A more common recipe calls for browning ground beef or lamb with onions and maybe a little garlic. Then you add in frozen mixed vegetables and herbs. Top with mashed potatoes and cheese and bake.

The point is, make it to your taste! The basics are simple, meat and veggies in gravy, topped with mashed potatoes, and maybe some cheese. Use the meat you like, the herbs and veggies, and cheese you (and your family) like. It would even be good as a vegetarian dish, with veggies and herbs in your sauce of choice topped with mashed potatoes. Want another change of pace? Mash the potatoes with carrots, parsnips, or turnips mixed in.

Home cooking can be so creative. When you start straying from the recipe, or even making up you own dishes, you are expressing yourself and choosing the flavors and ingredients that appeal to your family. This is when the kids start talking about "my mom's/dad's recipe for...". If you are a beginning cook, try changing a recipe just a little. Maybe you will like it better with more garlic, or dill instead of basil, or with any change you happen to be thinking of.

Shepherd's/cottage pie can be a good place to start.

By Free2B from North Royalton, OH