Re: sheppard's pie--- mashed potatoes
Originally Posted by
bakerman
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I am curious about how others make their Sheppard's Pie. The last time I made it, the mashed potato topping did not come out right. I made my mashed potatoes the way I always do: butter, light cream, salt and spooned that on top of the "pie" before it went into the oven. Potatoes did not taste at all good. any ideas of what it takes to make the potatoes taste right ?
Hi Bakerman, After years of doing Shepherd's Pie and Champagne parties when younger to now doing years of two huge dishes of same for family each time they visit for supper, I can only tell you how I have done the mashed potato for mine.
I have never had any complaints and they always go for second helpings.
The secret is to never ever make your mash the way you would if serving it as a side veggie. It will prove to be too creamy. (the downfall of many a shepherd's pie!) You need to have the potatoes as moisture free as possible for the best topping.
When I used to do Shepherd's Pie and Champagne parties, which friends loved, on some occasions, I even used to bake the potatoes in their skins in the oven and then scooped them out to ensure as little moisture as possible, but can't be bothered to do that nowadays.
When I have eight to 10 family coming for supper and serve this, I usually make two dishes of it.
For each dish I use 2.1/2 pounds of potatoes (I used Reds or Desiree if I can get them).
(serves 6)
Boil the potatoes until soft, drain, back into saucepan and place back on very low heat for 1 minute until moisture disappeared.
If you have a ricer put potatoes through that, (Mine broke so don't use one anymore).
Start mashing, add just salt and pepper, mash a bit more, now add 2 egg yolks, 4 tablespoons of butter and a quarter cup of milk. more mashing. then finally, add 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan Cheese. Finish mashing.
When you smooth out your mashed potato on top of your minced Lamb and fluffed it up into peaks or pattern, finally sprinkle with 4 tablespoons of grated Parmesan Cheese again. Wallah!
I promise you, your mashed potato will come out great as long as you don't add any more than the above measured ingredients.
Happy cooking!