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You can’t go wrong with shepherd’s pie!

(103 Posts)
Witzend Fri 20-Mar-26 09:36:40

Strictly speaking cottage pie, since I use beef mince, not lamb. It’s always been a favourite of dh, but I don’t often make it, except a mega version to take to a DD’s for at least 6 of us - it’s a favourite of the Gdcs, too.

Last week I took the usual mega version, there were 8 of us, dd2 also there, plus a friend of the Gdcs’ whose mother is French and a very good cook.

I just had a WhatsApp forwarded by dd from the friend’s French mother to say her dd loved my cooking - that child had 6 helpings!!

JaneJudge Sat 21-Mar-26 19:03:02

I mix the peas in…same with sliced carrots

Gfplux Sat 21-Mar-26 18:31:25

No one has mentioned frozen peas on top of the mince before putting on the mash.

valdavi Sat 21-Mar-26 18:14:34

Magenta8

I make a very nice vegetarian version (gardeners' pie, allotment pie?) using soya mince, marmite, root vegetables, onions, butterbeans and herbs. all topped off with fresh mash.

Written down it sounds a bit disgusting but actually it is very tasty.

Not in the least Magenta, I can see how that would work & I'll try it

Geraldine7651 Sat 21-Mar-26 18:11:20

For a change I cooked the mince base with onions and I put a thin layer of cooked thinly sliced carrots on the meat. Then the mash. It worked well because the meat gravy didn’t seep into the mashed potato.

Menopauselbitch Sat 21-Mar-26 17:58:09

Oreo

I grate cheese on top of the mash too, it’s delicious.

My kids will only eat it if I put crushed crisps on top of the cheese 🙄😂

Witzend Sat 21-Mar-26 17:55:14

AJW56

I enjoy reading Gransnet but the abbreviations drive me nuts. Is there a key anywhere? For example: DD, DS1, D2…I was even trying to work out YUK!

Dear Daughter, Dear Son1, and Dh is for Dear/Dratted Husband. Etc.
Are you new to such forums? These have been used for at least 20 years. However I do recall being bemused by dh at first, ages ago - who was this dh they kept mentioning? Dopey Herbert? Dozy Harry? But I soon worked it out.

Beautyschooldropout Sat 21-Mar-26 17:43:52

Tasting History with Max Miller did a YouTube video about Shepherd's Pie recently. It's 23 mins long.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1O1hcixZDU

I was checking my freezer and making a shopping list when I discovered a one person shepherd's pie so that's tonight's supper.

REKA Sat 21-Mar-26 17:38:59

Well, I just want some now

pamdixon Sat 21-Mar-26 17:33:41

Someone introduced me to a wonderful mixture the other day - minced beef and lamb. But don't know if it should be called cottage or shepherd's pie?!!! I always put a mixture of mashed potatoes and parsnips on top - I think that's particularly delicious too. Would really recommend the beef and lamb mixture though

Chestnut Sat 21-Mar-26 17:30:00

AJW56

I enjoy reading Gransnet but the abbreviations drive me nuts. Is there a key anywhere? For example: DD, DS1, D2…I was even trying to work out YUK!

Google now tells you absolutely anything! It's all there.
Gransnet Abbreviations

Witzend Sat 21-Mar-26 17:28:00

JaneJudge

I love it too, also with grated cheese on top

My only gripe is takes bloody ages to prepare and cook and produces so much washing up! but it really is worth the effort as you just cannot even buy anything remotely near to a home made one

I agree, it’s not the quickest and simplest dish to make. If I’m taking the usual mega version to dd’s, I make the mince/lentil/veg base the day before and add the mash the following morning.
Dh thinks it’s ‘simple’ but that’s because he doesn’t cook!
He invariably clears up the kitchen though, loads the dishwasher and unloads it in the morning - which TBH suits me fine!

Vintagegirl Sat 21-Mar-26 17:26:56

I call cottage pie 'nursery food' ... yes it gets produced for elderly/ill/bereaved when solace needed. I cheat now with smaller portions by using ready made mash.

IamMaz Sat 21-Mar-26 17:18:00

I only eat mince if I’ve minced the meat myself. I like to know what I’m eating!!!!
I told an acquaintance that I made my own mince and she snootily told me she only bought steak mince. You could see her expression change when I explained steak mince was the trimmings from the steak - not the steak itself!!

AJW56 Sat 21-Mar-26 17:10:12

I enjoy reading Gransnet but the abbreviations drive me nuts. Is there a key anywhere? For example: DD, DS1, D2…I was even trying to work out YUK!

kittylester Sat 21-Mar-26 17:01:22

Red currant jelly is really good in the beef as well as a good dash of Hendo's.

vanessahumphries Sat 21-Mar-26 16:54:55

I agree

Romola Sat 21-Mar-26 16:51:09

I love celeriac too. I don't find the smell unpleasant. But try Jerusalem artichokes! My neighbour gives them to me from his allotment. I am grateful, once I've prepared them. I think.

win Sat 21-Mar-26 15:29:19

Kathmaggie

Try mashing celeriac into the potato - it’s scrummy

I love celeriac bur gosh how it stinks when cooking!!

Nannan2 Sat 21-Mar-26 15:27:47

Used to be blonde- it was the first thing we were taught how to make in secondary school (age 11) at domestic science as it was called then.It was lovely,and ive been making it ever since! (Age nearly 63 now)😋

bookwormbabe Sat 21-Mar-26 15:00:28

I recently came across a Mary Berry recipe called Shepherd's Pie Dauphinoise. As the name suggests, it has cheesy topped sliced potato on top instead of mash. I tried it and it was really nice.

JaneJudge Sat 21-Mar-26 15:00:18

I love it too, also with grated cheese on top

My only gripe is takes bloody ages to prepare and cook and produces so much washing up! but it really is worth the effort as you just cannot even buy anything remotely near to a home made one

Kathmaggie Sat 21-Mar-26 14:52:05

Try mashing celeriac into the potato - it’s scrummy

hazel93 Sat 21-Mar-26 14:30:26

The whole family love a cottsge pie ! Baked beans either in or as a side and definitely a good splash of Worcester sauce.
True comfort food.

labazs Sat 21-Mar-26 14:23:33

when i was growing up Monday was always the day for Shepherds or Cottage pie as it was using up the Sunday roast. Also that was the traditionally the day to do the laundry so housewives had not the time for making complicated meals

pce612 Sat 21-Mar-26 14:15:57

I have the recipe book that we used in cookery lessons in school. It was published in the 30s
The recipe for shepherds pie specifies minced beef or lamb.