Thursday, August 26, 2010

Shepherd's Pie

 If you are a lover of shepherd's pie, today's recipe will either disappoint or thrill you.  I changed the spices rosemary, thyme and basil to cloves, cinnamon and cardamom.  I used a little garam masala in short.  I even threw a sprig of curry leaves for experiment and what do you know, it did quite well.  The only step I regret is not having drained the fat after browning the meat.  Else, I am delighted the way it turned out.

  I quite like Shepherd's pie.  The first time I had it at a friend's place was  a long time ago.  In Kerala, I doubt we were getting minced meat at that time and therefore she cooked and then ground the meat for the pie.  It was good but the texture of the pie was like that of pulled pork in sauce.  However, when cooked  with fresh ground meat its plenty different and I like it better.  Thereafter, I have had shepherd's pie in quite a few places and mostly pleased with them all.  Especially good, I  remember, is the one served at '13th floor' a restaurant in Bangalore.  Now, did I get that restaurant name right? I am talking about the one on MG Road.  The pie that evening was made with lamb and it was delicious. That is probably the last time I had pie outside home.

  About three or four years back I started cooking it at home using a recipe from an Australian cook book.  It's an old book and I had a photocopy from a friend.  A darn good one I dare say but cannot remember the name.  Now that I have been cooking a while, I finally created my own version today.  I am rather glad the way it turned out like I mentioned earlier.  Moist and spicy it's a meal in itself and I can already think of  possibilities with the left overs.  Enjoy!      

Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients:

For the first layer:
1. Minced meat (I used beef) - 3/4 lb
2. Onions - 2 small size chopped fine
3. Ginger - 1 Tbspn
4. Garlic - 1 Tbspn
5. Green Chilies - 5 - 6 thai
7. Paparika - 1/2 tspn
9. Black pepper - sprinkle
10. Curry Leaves - 1 Sprig
11. Garam Masala - 1/2 tspn
12. Tomato - 2 medium size chopped fine

For the Topping
Potato - 2 russet potato
Butter - 2 Tbspn
Sour Cream - 3 Tbspn
Milk - 2 to 4 Tbspn (use it accordingly when creaming)
Parmesan cheese - to spinkle on top
Paparika - to spinkle

Shepherd's Pie

Method:
1. Brown the meat in a skillet or any cooking vessel. Here, we are only looking for change of color of the meat from pink to brown
2. Oil will clear at this time unless you are using 100% lean meat
3. Drain some or all the fat
3. Add chopped ginger, garlic, onions and green chilies and continue to cook. Wait for cooked garlic smell and onions to be translucent
4. Add curry leaves and stir
5. Add paparika and pepper if you want it to be spicier or you may not use them also
6. Add 1 1/2 tspn of all purpose flour and stir into the meat and cook for a couple of seconds
7. Add chopped tomato and cook
8. Add 1/2 cup of water and bring to boil
9. I take around 20 minutes for the whole process from the time I start browning the meat
10. You may use 1/2 cup of beef broth too if you like. I don't, I think water is just fine.
11. Set aside

Shepherd's Pie

Topping:
1. Dice the potato and cook in about 3/4 cup of water
2. Check with a fork to make sure potato is well done and drain off any excess water or cook it dry
3. Add the butter and sour cream and whip using a blender.
4. Add salt to taste and milk to soften if the potato is too pasty. You do not want it running and not too stiff either.

Layering:
1. Butter a oven safe dish
2. Add the cooked meat and then the potato over it. Sprinkle cheese and paparika and cook in a preheated oven at 400 D for 20 minutes.
3. The meat mixture will boil and bubble at the sides and this is okay.

Shepherd's Pie

Server it with rolls, steamed vegetables or even with rotis.
This will serve 4 people.

Contributor: Sunitha

35 comments:

  1. Pie looks awesome..beautiful clicks n presentation!!

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  2. Awesome clicks.....:). Very nice presentation....

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  3. It sounds delicious Sunitha!
    Don't cook beef; but the spice combinations should work. Incidently there was a period in Europe where they did use a fair amount of pepper, cloves and other spices.. beautiful snapshots as usual!

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  4. I must try a veg version of this pie with all indian spices, sounds interesting.
    FOODELICIOUS

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  5. I must try a veg version of this pie with all indian spices, sounds interesting.
    FOODELICIOUS

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  6. Awesome clicks and fabulous recipe..liked ur version with Indian spices!!

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  7. As always inviting clicks, lovely sunitha

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  8. never had this before .. 13th floor ?.. did u mean Ebony ??? Have forgotten about this restaurant for a while and now you have reminded me ..

    Awesome clicks as usual ..

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  9. Love love this pie looks so so yumm.

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  10. would love to try this with soya chunks instead of meat, as a vegetarian version..love the first click..

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  11. Your dish looks perfect...I want to devour rite now..:)

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  12. Never tasted it before, it looks incredibly tasty!! Thanks for sharing..

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  13. Had this pie long back, looks very tempting and makes me drool..

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  14. Its a common item in all the pubs here...sometimes its nice, but otherwise, a bit too bland.
    I cheat while making it..but store bought mash which has cheese and seasoning :)
    I like ur use of garam masala it..

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  15. This looks so delicious and makes me so hungry!

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  16. I love anything that comes in the form of pie. Especially the ones that come in individual ramekins. Your pie looks divine. Ummm, umm good!

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  17. Wow, great idea! I love it :)

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  18. First time here and liked your recipes and pics a lot..Pie looks so good.Happily following you !!! Do visit my space when you find time

    http://www.frommyhomekitchen.com/

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  19. I have heard of this guy quite alot of times....but always thought theye were too bland and boring....yours sounds fun..I too should give it ago!

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  20. Wow..looks superb! Can be tried with chicken or lamb!
    Lovely clicks!

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  21. Sounds really delish. Great pix too!

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  22. ummmmmm.....this looks divine....gotta try this out...!
    amazing pics :)

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  23. Lovely! Nice recipe too,the pictures are absolutely drool worthy and neat!

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  24. This pie is new to me...The recipe sounds very tasty....lovely clicks...

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  25. I love making them in individual serves too. Looks delicious!

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  26. I've never made this - looks like you've perfected it!

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  27. That's a very tasty snack (I don't eat beef though)!

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  28. Oh Man that looks awesom...oh am thrilled! :)

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  29. awesome clicks..i love this...even i add garam masala ;)

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  30. Wow ... that looks divine... love the sound of indian spices . Must try!!!

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