Mahoosive Shepherds Pie

If you want to feed a large group of people then shepherds pie is the way to go.....
It is easy to cook, delicious, cheap and full of healthy vegetables. 
Plus, you can always add your own twist with extra herbs, veg and spices. 

Last week we had a family feast. There was 9 of us in total. Our menu was shepherds pie, kiddie friendly cabbage and brussel sprouts cooked with bacon.

Normally I would....Heat a little oil, fry onions, brown the mince, add some veg and water, leave it to simmer, then add gravy granules to thicken, spoon on mash, grate a little cheese on top and plonk in the oven for 20 mins- easy quick and tasty. 



In our current 'try something new and healthy' spirit I thought I would research some recipes and found that actually the experts all make their shepherds pie differently to me... So this time the recipe went like this....

Shepherd's Pie recipe

Ingredients - (I actually wrote this list as I was I cooking because I always forget what I put in.)

4 large carrots
1 very large parsnip
1/4 swede
1/2 onion
1 red onion
Dried garlic
Fresh Rosemary
Beef Stock
Mushrooms

(Veg all from our Norfolk Veg Box)


1. Heat the oil in a pan, add the onions, garlic and rosemary  (This smells awesome)
2. Add the minced beef and brown off
3. Drain any excess fat (the better quality meat you use the less to drain and the also the healthier your dish)
4. Stir in your chopped mushrooms
5. Add the Carrots, Swede and Parsnip with the Beef Stock.
6. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and leave to simmer.
7. Leave simmering for around 30 mins (I think)
8. Peel and boil your potatoes
9. Once soft mash potatoes, butter and milk into a creamy delicious mash
10. In an oven proof casserole dish add the mince mixture, eveningly spreading your mash over the top
11.  Place in a hot oven for around 30 minutes - until lovely and golden on top and piping hot all the way through.
12. serve it up and Enjoy


By using beef stock and letting the mince mixture simmer for longer prevents the need to add any gravy granules to thicken it up - It was also far tastier and a healthier.

If you like a little punch to the shepherds pie add a large glug of Worcester sauce. I don't add it because the children aren't keen - so a pour it over the top of mine once dished.