Saturday, June 13, 2009

Shepherd's Pie, For Realz

I think this is the first time I've ever made what can be authentically called shepherd's pie. Because shepherds herd sheep. I used lamb.
When you use beef, you have to call it "cottage pie." Whatev. Why can't you call it cowboy pie? Oh, too American.
But this was lamb, truly.
We braised a couple of lamb shanks a while ago when the weather wasn't behaving in a temperate manner, and saved the leftovers in the freezer.
Sure enough, the weather is still misbehaving. We felt entitled to warm, comforting, stew-y food.
I don't even think I need to tell you how easy this is. How bracing. How nice.
(OK: Make a gravy. I used leftover lamb goozle from the braise. Lightly cook some vegetables: onion, carrot, peas. Stir the gravy, vegetables and meat together in a baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes. Roast for half an hour.)
Since I've quit drinking milk, this was the first time I've made mashed potatoes without a good glug of buttermilk. They were great! Their intrinsic potato-ness was not smoothed out of existence by a dairy flavor. Though we did use butter, heh.
I've just made myself hungry, and it's only a couple of hours since I ate lunch.
It's so great to have an appetite again!

11 comments:

Kailyn said...

Yum!

And now I have a new word -- goozle.

Oh, and you mentioned butter but was there anything else in the taters? Like stock? Because all the low-cal things I've read have suggested substituting stock for the dairy.

Kailyn said...

Yum!

And now I have a new word -- goozle.

Oh, and you mentioned butter but was there anything else in the taters? Like stock? Because all the low-cal things I've read have suggested substituting stock for the dairy.

Anonymous said...

Oh and it's pretty too! Can't say that terribly often about shepherd's pie... Bravo, comfort food.

Glad to hear you have your appetite back. Goodness that must be tough: have you tried cheese yet, or maybe some really thick yogurt? I think my kid is lactose intolerant. I have to convince my husband that goat milk is different and won't give her "the hurls" as she calls it.

cookiecrumb said...

Kailyn: "Goozle" is Zoomie's word for the glorious, sticky liquid that collects when you tenderly cook some meat. All credit to her.
And -- nothing in the 'taters but butter and salt. I've seen Swanson's ads, begging you to put canned sodium juice in your mashed potatoes, but you don't have to.

Fast: I know! Pretty comfort food? Impossible. Must have been the cute peas.
Listen, just wean the kid from cow dairy for a day or two and see how it goes. Pretty much self-diagnosing. And get the goats!
I've tried cheddar cheese, but it wasn't a success. Yogurt, though, is just fine! Yay.
(I had *projectile* hurls. Don't want to describe it, except to say I never knew my abdominal muscles were that strong. Ouch.)

Ms Brown Mouse said...

We sometimes beat an egg yolk into mashed spud, when someone has forgotten to buy cream. Very rich, very yummy.
And congrats on getting the shepherd's pie, cottage pie thing right (it's a bit like alot, a lot, for me;)

natalia said...

oh how i love a good sheperd's pie!
minus the peas.
i have a pea thing...
i do use beef, but lamb is sounds wonderful!

Zoomie said...

I'm rather enjoying this return to cool weather so we can enjoy a few more hearty meals before summer. Bet _you're_ enjoying not having the projectile hurls! Poor you!

Greg said...

Anything with mashed potatoes and I'm in.

Unknown said...

Looks yummy! Haven't made sheps pie in over 10 years. Have never made it with lamb. Next time, I must remember lamb.

ChrisB said...

That's is my kind of meal. I love either type of pie and you've reminded me I haven't done this in a while so it might end up on my menu next week.

cookiecrumb said...

Mouse: That's a nice thought. I can use egg yolks instead of cream, when I want that richness.

Natalia: Skip the peas, then. Use mushrooms. I'd recommend trying lamb!

Zoomie: Funny weather, innit? I was planting something in the yard the other day, and actually had to peel off my sweatshirt. But in the shade, it's so cool.

Greg: I have been know to eat an entire meal of JUST mashed potatoes.

Lannae: I was so pleased with the lamb shanks, because the meat has a wonderful texture (and you get that great goozle).

ChrisB: You realize, of course, that you are my mentor in making this dish! I am indebted to you.