Ah, shepherd’s pie…the ultimate comfort food. Mashed potatoes, ground (or diced) meat, veggies…it’s all there. Naturally, our CVap® ovens are great for preparing even the most complicated dishes. However, we wanted to demonstrate how CVaps are just as adept at cooking simple comfort food.
Naturally, this dish is a simple way to utilize leftover meats. Although often considered synonymous with cottage pie, the two dishes are differentiated by the type of meat. Primarily, shepherd’s pie is typically made with lamb. In contrast, cottage pie is typically made with beef.
Origins
Shepherd’s pie’s origins are unclear. Though considered by many to be Irish cuisine, it’s more likely to have come from northern England or Scotland (with that region’s abundance of sheep) – hence the name).
Although recipes similar to shepherd’s pie have existed for centuries, it wasn’t until potatoes became a common staple in the 1700s that the dish took on its current form. Earlier, most recipes utilized a pastry crust, rather than potatoes.
Of course, this recipe is a basic dish to prepare. However, having CVap ovens at our disposal made it so much easier. Undoubtedly, the results were delicious!
Shepherd’s Pie - Mashed Potatoes
- 6 Large Potatoes
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Tbs Salt
- 1 Tbs Black Pepper
- ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Egg Yolk
Filling
- 3 Tbs Butter
- 1 Medium Onion (diced small)
- 1 Cup Diced Carrots
- 3/4 Cup Green Peas
- 3/4 Cup Corn
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 2 Tbs Tomato Paste
- 2 Tbs Flour
- 8 Oz Beef Stock
- 1 Tbs Salt
- 1 Tbs Pepper
- 1.5 Lbs Ground Lamb
Process
Bake potatoes in a CVap RTV Retherm Oven At 200°F Vapor / 250°F Air (legacy setting 200 +50) for 35 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare cream and butter mixture for mashed potatoes.
Next sauté onions until translucent, then add garlic and carrots. Simmer until carrots begin to soften, then add ground lamb. Stir occasionally, until lamb is completely browned. After that, add peas and corn. Season with salt and pepper.
Mashed potatoes – add cream butter mixture to cooked potatoes and mash. After that add salt and pepper. Keep mashing. Once completely mashed, stir in egg yolk.
After that, move the cooked veggie-lamb mixture to the dish, and dollop mashed potatoes throughout. Spread potatoes over the top of lamb and vegetables.
Bake for 30-35 min in CVap Retherm Oven at 180°F Vapor, 330°F Air (189 + 150 for legacy CVap Ovens).
In conclusion, the results were satisfying and delicious. Naturally, simple, savory flavors were just the thing to warm a chilly afternoon.
Of course, there are countless variations of this basic recipe. Shepherdess pie is vegetarian (or {blech} vegan). On the other hand, Cumberland pie adds a breadcrumb or pastry crust. Yet some recipes call for turkey or ham as the protein. Of course, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
What Wine Pairs Well?
Make this dish even more delicious by pairing it with a Bordeaux, a complex wine that goes great with a dish like a shepherd’s pie. Naturally, its earthy, savory flavors match well. Likewise, pinot noir is another great pairing. It’s bright and easy to drink and will match up well with the sweet vegetables in this dish.
If you are more of a beer person, a nice dry Irish stout should pair well!
