Shepherd’s Pie

A favorite dish from the Emerald Isle, Shepherd’s pie is a blend of ground lamb and mashed potatoes for a rich and easy dish.

Although I’ve too often stated my longing to be Italian, the truth is I’m a mixed breed of German, Swiss, English and Irish. Even though Irish food is seldom thought of as gourmet offerings I have to tell you I love it. Fish and Chips are a favorite as is this dish, Shepherd’s Pie; a pie made with ground lamb and mashed potatoes.

I first tried this dish at a beef tasting event at a local Irish pub; it reminded me of something I made for my kids with ground beef (and truth be told I’ve made this dish with all ground beef too…ground lamb is not something typically found at my local grocer’s).

I’ll be honest, I am not typically a beer drinker. Others in our party enjoy a good glass of brew but I’m more inclined to have a glass of wine or a cocktail. That might seriously change. Maybe if someone somewhere had led me through a tasting before this past weekend, I might not have lost so many years thinking I don’t like beer.

It was fun to enjoy a series of courses that were paired with particular beers and I’m not exaggerating, it was eye opening. One thing I realize? I loved the dark beers we tried the best.

Upon arriving at Fadó, my party of four was greeted by Glen Eastwood, the manager of the Denver location. I thought it was quite the nice touch to have Glen talk to us with a charming Irish brogue…come on Glen, fess up…you’re from Aurora right?

Truth is Glen really is from Dublin and has been in Denver since they opened. Like many restaurants they’ve gone through some growing pains until firmly establishing their mission as a Bistro in 2008. Pub food and draft beer are what they are known for and what I thought was exemplified by our tasting.

Glen and his staff had setup a space for  our party in one of their larger rooms. Empty early on a Saturday afternoon, it would soon be the place to be for a sports game with a bar, plenty of tables and of course the requisite big screen. I appreciated that it was quiet at that moment and gave Glen the opportunity to chat with us and share the history of Fado’s and explain the pairings we were to try.

Served on individual rectangular platters were three sumptuous dishes, each drawing raves from our party. The first was ‘Smoked Salmon Bites’ consisting of smoked salmon served on a silver dollar sized Boxty; a traditional Irish potato pancake. Finished with capers, onions, a light horseradish sauce and lemon it was a the perfect small bite to start our meal.

Glen paired the salmon with Westmalle Trappest Ale, a golden ale which was lighter in color then the others we tried but still a full bodied beer.  I would never  have considered a beer with a salmon appetizer but it was the perfect match.

Next we tried a Guinness Foreign Extra which was served with Shepherd’s Pie. Though brewed in Ireland, we discovered this beer was made strictly for foreign markets, hence the name. The Shepherd’s Pie was made with ground lamb and rich with a demi glace and this beer was the perfect foil. I have since learned that the name for a beef pie of this type is called a Cottage Pie but no worries; I made mine with a combination of lamb and beef; works for everyone!

Guinness Foreign Extra is a full-bodied stout and my favorite beer of the day. Maybe it was the suggestion of chocolate, caramel and coffee flavors? I felt it prophetic that I had a block of Kerrygold Reserve Cheddar on hand; it seemed meant to be for this Shepherd’s Pie.

Last but not least were some fabulous Bleu Cheese Lamb Sliders which was tender lamb, caramelized onions and bleu cheese served on mini buns with a side of lamb au jus for dipping.  These were fabulous all by themselves but that dip of rich au jus took them over the top. Paired with Celebration Double Bock Beer it was another winner; as a matter of fact I can’t wait to get back there for some of those!

In the meantime I’ve chosen to recreate the Shepherd’s Pie. Glen and Fadó’s were gracious and generous not only with our feast but kindly gave me beer and glasses and napkins to bring home for my photo shoot. What I could not prod out of them was their recipe for Shepherd’s Pie so although this recipe was rich and fulfilling and we loved it; it’s not theirs.

By the way, last year I made this absolutely fabulous ‘Irish Coffee’ Dessert Cake for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s not a morning coffee cake, no it’s a cake made with the flavors of Irish Coffee; definitely for dessert. Shepherd’s Pie and this cake would be perfect for St. Paddy’s day if you’re Irish. Or even if you are not!

PIN IT! ‘Shepherd’s Pie’

Shepherd’s Pie

Barbara Baker

A savory meat filling of lamb and beef is topped with seasoned mashed potatoes and baked.

5 average from less than 50 votes

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Beef, Lamb

Cuisine Irish

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 703 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the Filling

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 pound ground lamb or use 1/2 lamb and 1/2 ground beef or all ground beef
• 1 cup onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 4 ounces mushrooms sliced
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 ¼ cups beef stock
• 4 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup dark beer

For the Mashed Potatoes

• 1 pound potatoes quartered (I used Yukon Gold and did not peel them)
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ cup half and half
• ½ cup white cheddar grated (I used Kerrygold Aged White Cheddar)

Instructions

 

To Make the Meat Filling

• Lightly grease 4 individual soup bowls or one 6-cup baking dish and set aside.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large saute pan over medium high heat.
• Crumble the beef and lamb and saute until it starts to turn brown.
• Add the onion, minced garlic, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper, and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
• Add the sliced mushrooms and bay leaf, and cook, stirring, until their liquid is almost all absorbed, about 4 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until starting to color, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually add the stock and Worcestershire sauce, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until thickened, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

To Prepare the Potatoes

• Place the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, 10-15 minutes until easily pierced with a fork.
• Drain in a colander and return to the pot.
• Over low heat, mash the potatoes with a potato masher. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and nutmeg, and mash to incorporate.
• Add the half and half and cheddar cheese and mix well. Remove from heat.

To Assemble

• Turn off heat on meat filling and remove the bay leaf. Spoon into the prepared dish(es) and top with the mashed potatoes. (I used a piping cone but you can dollop on the potatoes and just smooth with a spoon).
• Bake until browned and bubbly on top, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Notes

Shepherd’s Pie is usually made with lamb and Cottage Pie with beef but my girls and preferred a combination of both meats. Use whichever you prefer; all ground beef or all ground lamb or a combination of both. I have friends thata sub in black beans and vegetable stock if they are vegetarian.

 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Shepherd’s Pie

Serving Size

 

1 Serving

Amount per Serving

Calories

703

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

41

g

63

%

Cholesterol

 

161

mg

54

%

Sodium

 

1336

mg

58

%

Carbohydrates

 

43

g

14

%

Protein

 

40

g

80

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Calories

703

Keyword beef, irish, lamb, pie, shepherds pie, st patricks day

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