Shepherd's Pie 牧羊人派

My husband and I sent our girl (dog) to vet for a surgery this morning. Husband requested me to cook a decent treat for the girl yesterday. He specifically asked for Shepherd's Pie 牧羊人派. Their wishes were granted! 

I delivered a big sized flavourful Classic Sherpherd's Pie for the humans and a mini-sized one for the girl. It was really smelling good and tasting great! I did the girl's pie separately. Unlike the pie for humans, hers had no seasonings and the ingredients limited to minced meat, carrot dices and mashed potatoes. My husband could not decide between lamb or beef. I ended up using both meats....

It's simple content to just see both enjoying my food.

Main Ingredients (enough for 2 to 4 pax) :

• 300 gm minced mutton 
• 200 gm minced beef
• 100 gm frozen mixed vegetables (i.e. carrots, green peas, beans, corn)
• 1 large onion or 2 mid sized onions (peeled and finely chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic (peeled and finely chopped)
• 3 large potatoes (peeled and cut to quarters)
• 1 to 2 cups grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

Seasonings for Meats & Vegetables 

• 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp sugar (or to taste)
• 1 tsp grounded pepper (or to taste)(I used garlic pepper)
• 2 tsp corn flour
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce or HP sauce (i used HP sauce)
• 2 to 3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 100 ml chicken stock or beef stock

Seasonings for Mashed Potatoes 

• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 tsp grounded pepper (or to taste)(I used garlic pepper)
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 50 gm unsalted butter

Method : 

1. Boil potatoes till softened. Remove potatoes from pot and add all 'Mashed Potatoes Seasonings' and mash to your desired texture. Set aside.
2. Pre-heat oven to 180C.
3. Heat 1 tbsp butter in frying pan, saute onions and garlic till fragrant and caramelised. 
4. Toss in minced meats and mixed vegetables. Quick stir fry with all 'Meats and Vegetables Seasonings' (except chicken/beef stock).
5. Add chicken or beef stock. Allow to simmer and reduce to a thick gravy.
6. Turn off heat. Drain excess liquid and transfer ingredients to an oven safe casserole or greased baking pan. 
7. Spread ingredients evenly.
8. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese generously atop.
9. Use a spoon to spread a thick layer of mashed potatoes over the grated cheese.
10. Use a fork to score the mashed potatoes to achieve nice browning. 
11. Bake in oven for 20 minutes. Increase temp to 200C for another min. 10 minutes to achieve darker golden brown effect. Results may vary due to different oven size and makes. Please exercise own judgement by checking the oven.
12. Remove from oven when satisfied and serve whilst hot.

(scroll to bottom of page, click on "Print" or "PDF" icon for printer friendly recipe)