Re: Shepherds Pie or Cottage Pie

I sometimes add a handful of red lentils to the mince, put slices of tomatoes between the mince and potato layers, and often add grated cheese to the mash.

A totally different version - cooked sausages (any kind) cut into three or four pieces, onion and mushroom browned in the sausage fat, flour milk and an oxo cube added to make a brown sauce thick enough to support the mash, sausages mixed back in, and the whole lot tipped into a bowl and topped with cheesy mash.

Scrummy!

Re: Shepherds Pie or Cottage Pie

I avoid them like the plague. Both have potato and that is horrible.

Re: Shepherds Pie or Cottage Pie

I used to make Cottage Pie.
I used mince, but always boiled it first to remove as much fat as possible and tended to bag up the cooked mince to keep in the freezer.

If I could be bothered I'd add some grated carrot, always added garlic, a little chili powder, oxo or gravy granules and tinned tomatoes.

Re: Shepherds Pie or Cottage Pie

I make cottage pie with mince, which I fry off to start with.
I add chopped carrots and onions and marmite or beef stock cube. Then add a bit of flour and water, when it's ready I add mashed potatoes and put it under the grill to brown. Sometimes I add tomatoes between mince and mash. I've never added cheese to the mash, but will try next time.

Re: Shepherds Pie or Cottage Pie

This thread is making my hungry!

Great idea to add kidney - organ meat is very good for you (kidney in particular is high in Vit A).

Re: Shepherds Pie or Cottage Pie

We will be having Lamb Shepherd's Pie next week, I make a basic one adding a few sliced carrots and loads of onions, I put little bit of English Mustard in my Mash and a bit of grated cheese on top, sometimes I had just a sprinkle of curry powder on top.

Re: Shepherds Pie or Cottage Pie

My butcher gave me that Vit A tip and always puts a few chopped up kidneys into the mince for me It does give it a nice rich taste Azz .

Re: Shepherds Pie or Cottage Pie

We are having shepherds pie this evening using some mince from a lamb farmed locally. I don't do a great deal with it, after browning the lamb, and removing any excess fat. I do had a stock cube and add worcester sauce too which gives it a slightly different flavour. The potato on the top is always mashed with loads of butter and milk to make it really creamy and obviously browned on top.

Re: Shepherds Pie or Cottage Pie

Sounds good Boots. It does all depend on the mince you use

Re: Shepherds Pie or Cottage Pie

I add grated cheese to the mash as well.

Isn't shepherds pie supposed to be lamb, and cottage pie - beef?