Shepherd's pie

The Shepherd’s Pie is a traditional British dish consisting of a meat pie with a layer of mashed potatoes. In Italy, we might consider it similar to a “pasticcio,” and you could add an Italian twist by incorporating aromatic herbs like rosemary or sage into the filling. Here is the traditional recipe with a small Italian touch:

Ingredients

• 600 g minced lamb (or beef for the variant called Cottage Pie)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 glass red wine (Italian variation)
• 1 cup meat broth
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves (Italian variation)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (Italian variation)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon flour (optional, to thicken the meat sauce)

For the mashed potatoes:

• 1 kg potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces
• 100 ml milk
• 50 g butter
• Grated nutmeg (to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Start by cooking the potatoes in salted water until they are soft.
2. Meanwhile, in a large heated pan, add the olive oil and sauté the onion, celery, garlic, and carrots until they are softened.
3. Add the minced lamb and cook until it is no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. If desired, you can sprinkle with flour at this point to absorb excess fat and create a base for the sauce.
4. Pour the red wine and let the alcohol evaporate, then add the tomato paste, meat broth, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 20 minutes until the mixture reduces and becomes rich and thick.
5. Prepare the mashed potatoes by mashing the cooked potatoes and adding the hot milk, butter, nutmeg (if used), salt, and pepper, stirring until creamy and smooth.
6. Take an oven-safe dish and spread the meat mixture on the bottom, leveling it. Then cover with a layer of mashed potatoes.
7. With a fork, create small peaks on the surface of the mashed potatoes that will become crispy once baked.
8. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 20 minutes or until the mashed potatoes take on a golden color.

This dish pairs well with a full-bodied red wine, such as a Chianti or a Sangiovese, to keep with the theme of Italian variations.

Curiosity

The name “Shepherd’s Pie” translates to “shepherd’s pie” and refers to the use of lamb in the dish, while “Cottage Pie” was originally used when the dish was made with any type of minced meat.