Dear Kim,
It has come to my attention that perhaps I’ve been a little brutal in subjecting you to repeated mashed potato posts. Especially when you’re so good to make your girls mashed potatoes — in my house, what mama doesn’t like, mama doesn’t cook LOL. So anyway, I’d like to offer you the opportunity to bug out of here and go enjoy something that may be more to your liking. Besides, being that you live in England and all, you’ll find the rest of my post boring.
Thanks for stopping by … see ya next time!
XOXO,
Anna
Now, for the rest of you, I just wanted to share one of my very favorite winter dishes — Shepherd’s Pie. I often wonder if Shepherd’s Pie is to England what Meatloaf is to America. Everybody has their own favorite recipe. I didn’t grow up with Shepherd’s Pie. In fact, I’m not sure I’d even really heard of it until about 15 years ago. TheManoftheHouse was on a business trip to London and I tagged along. One day, we took a tour to the Cotswolds. It was a cold and rainy day (which is kind of like a dark and dreary night, only the sun is shining.) We stopped at a cozy little pub and they had about three things on their little buffet line. I chose the Shepherd’s Pie and loved it instantly. It could have been because we were cold and hungry and it really warmed me up. Whatever it was, I came home determined to find a recipe. It took me a little while to find one I like because I like it pretty plain. I don’t like peas or corn in my Shepherd’s Pie. I like peas and corn just fine, but on the side please.
I would say that this is a great recipe for kids, but I think my kids hate it now. I think I’ve burned them out on it. That, and they’re always trying to eat healthy, aka, low on the carbs, which rules out mashed potatoes. Not me though — bring on the Mashed Potatoes!
Shepherd’s Pie
4 cups cooked ground beef (or any cooked ground meat)
1 cup chopped cooked potatoes
1 cup grated cooked carrots
1 small chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 14-oz. can beef stock
cornstarch
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups mashed potatoes
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
Grease a deep-dish pie plate and set aside.
Combine meat, cooked potatoes and carrots, onion and parsley. Dissolve cornstarch in beef stock in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook for about 3 minutes or until slightly thick. Pour into meat mixture and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper.
Place in prepared pie plate and cover with mashed potatoes. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Place in preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are golden and pie is heated through. Serve immediately.
I hope everyone has a good weekend. I’m off in the morning with the quilty peeps and MeMum. We’re going to the big city for a little quilt shopping. It’s going to be a BIG day — we’re having a blog meet up with Sharon and her little Boo! WooHoo!!! Sharon, you won’t have any trouble figuring out who I am — I’ll be the one with the bags under my eyes ’cause I won’t get any sleep tonight!!!
XOXO,
Anna
Sheperd’s pie happens to be my most favourite stodgy winter food….and amazingly I can actually cook it. Thanks for sharing your version. I usually put a bit of mozzarella cheese on top of mine.
And I love those save-the-date cards you made. Everyone seems to be sending them now. Didn’t use to be the case.
That looks perfect for my dinner tonight. We’ll see if it turns into another dinnertime brawl at the table with A – we actually haven’t had one of those in a while, since I resorted to some drastic measures (none that I told anybody about, but it seems to have worked and now she eats what she’s told). I guess all’s well that ends well!
YUMMY! How about we just come join you for dinner? LOL! Oh you are going to have so much fun…meeting Sharon…isn’t Blogland just the BEST!
I’m so jealous of a big quilty shopping day! What fun! I hope you find lots and lots of goodies to show us! Lucy x
Ooooh I love shepherd’s pie!!! Funny thing is, I think I make mine more like meat loaf topped with potatoes! I am SO AMERICAN! Lol* Meat and ‘taters. Ha! I make mine with just basically my meat loaf recipe, topped with mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese. Lol* Hubby hates it though, so it’s a once a year or less treat. Thanks for sharing your recipe! :)
Oooooh does that look good – that picture is making my mouth water!
My husband would love that.
Have fun shopping!!!
Yummy… I’d like a piece of that pie right now, I’m starving… I don’t look like I’m starving though! Thanks for including the recipe. I’ll pass it on to my husband, chef Boyd-o.
Thanks for all the calories! hee, hee
Hugs,
Joni
Mmmmm, I love Shepherd’s Pie!
I must make it again soon; thank you for the recipe!
Dearest Anna
Thank you so much for the early warning that you gave me, I very much appreciate it. Having had more than my fair share of mash this weekend, the beans were a lovely diversion, what a nice little detour!
Kim x
My youngest thinks I’m as mad as you do for not liking my spuds all mashed up!
Enjoy your sheoherds pie (yes I was brave and read on) and have a great day with the quiltypeeps,
How could I see bags under your eyes with what you were wearing?? LOL!!! OMG you are just too much. Boo was laughing when I walked out of that quilt shop.
My mother is from Britain and just about every week when I was growing up we had shepherd’s pie made from the leftover Sunday roast – ground and mixed with the leftover gravy, and mashed potatoes. Nothing fancy, just those three ingredients. I loved it…still do. Especially, and in my very American way, smothered with ketchup!! LOL
yummy stuff…I have to make mine without the carrots these days as Barry doesn’t like vegetables. I have my healthy veg on the side. We use oxo cubes here instead of ready made stock and maybe put cheese on the top but I might give breadcrumbs a go!
I do so love Shepherds Pie! Everytime we go to an Irish Pub (which isn’t very often), I have it! Yummy!!!
I am going to try another of your wonderful recipes – thank you for sharing!! I know The Man will thank you, too! LOL