Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's pie is a traditional British home dish where seasoned lamb mince is cooked with onion, carrot, and peas, deglazed with red wine and beef stock, then topped with creamy mashed potato and baked until golden. The wine evaporates its alcohol during cooking, leaving behind fruit depth and tannin that enrich the lamb, while Worcestershire sauce adds a layer of fermented umami. The potatoes are boiled, mashed with butter and milk until smooth, then spread evenly over the meat filling. Dragging a fork across the mashed potato surface creates ridges that brown and crisp in the oven, adding textural contrast to the creamy layer beneath. After twenty-five minutes at 200 degrees Celsius, the meat juices bubble up around the edges, signaling that the filling is hot throughout.
Adjust Servings
Instructions
- 1
Brown lamb and vegetables; add wine, stock, and Worcestershire sauce; simmer 20 minutes.
- 2
Boil and mash potatoes with butter and milk until creamy.
- 3
Transfer meat filling to a baking dish.
- 4
Spread mashed potato evenly over the filling.
- 5
Bake at 200°C for 25 minutes until top is golden.
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