If you’ve ever enjoyed a dish of savory ground lamb with small cubes of mixed vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes, and grilled to perfection, you’ve enjoyed a dish that is straight from the heart and soul of Ireland.
It’s comfort food at its best and is best enjoyed around St. Patricks Day to celebrate Irish heritage, as opposed to eating corned beef and cabbage. But, have you ever wondered about the history of traditional shepherd’s pie?
Shepherd’s pie hails from Scotland, but is also popular in Ireland and England. The Scottish people are known for their frugality (or we’re cheap, whatever!) so it comes as no surprise that they created a dish where the ingredients were in an abundant supply and inexpensive for them.
The history of Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie, or cottage pie, as it is otherwise known, is a dish that originates from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It should be noted that these were originally two different dishes that had a few similarities. For example, shepherd’s pie contained ground lamb, while cottage pie contained beef. Over time, ground beef became the filling of choice, and lamb was used less frequently. Thus, these two names were used interchangeably.
The dish originates from the British Isles, but some might argue that it is an Irish dish by origin. The name “Shepherd’s Pie” was first recorded in an 1877 cookbook. In this same cookbook, it was noted that the dish was of Scottish origin.
During the period between the 18th and 19th centuries, money was very tight. Homemakers were constantly looking for ways to save and make their money and food last longer. As such, these homemakers were very frugal and were looking for creative ways to incorporate leftover food that the husbands and children would pull their noses up at, into dishes. And, by doing so, the humble shepherd’s pie was born.
Originally, the dish contained a pastry shell at the bottom, top, or both. Over time, this morphed into potato slices at the bottom and top of savory minced lamb meat, until it eventually became a topping of mashed potatoes.
A traditional shepherd’s pie starts by sautéing onions in oil until the onions are translucent. Garlic is added and sautéed for a further one to two minutes before the ground lamb is added and browned in the hot oil.
Vegetables and spices are added according to their cooking time. Spices are usually added just after the meat is added. Spices may include salt, pepper, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, chili spice, and cayenne pepper. If you are adding carrots, they should be added when the onions are sautéed, and peas, corn, and other softer vegetables should be added when the broth is added. Continue to cook the meat until the liquid has thickened.
The mixture is added to an oven-safe dish and topped with mashed potatoes before it is baked in the oven.
The third reason? It’s goooooooood. Look, I know St. Paddy’s is in March, which means, meteorologically, it’s spring, but let’s be real. It’s currently 33 degrees as I write this piece. We won’t be barbecuing any time soon. So, a hearty meal that warms you up while filling your belly is just what the doctor ordered after a day of parading and celebration. Given these three reasons, shepherd’s pie actually seems like the perfect St. Patrick’s Day food, even if it isn’t the most popular. As a result, it seems like a reasonable choice for an historical examination.
There you have it! This St. Patrick’s Day, if you find yourself hankering for something other than corned beef, give shepherd’s pie a serious look. With a flavor profile similar to beef stew, or pot roast, it’s a hearty, warm, and delicious dish to help you refuel after a long day of…whatever it is you do to celebrate. Erin go bragh, and have a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day!
St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching, and if you’re like the preponderance of Americans looking to eat like they’re Irish, you’re probably thinking about where you can indulge in some corned beef and cabbage. The thing is, maybe you should consider something else. After all, corned beef might not really be Irish. Plus, there are numerous dishes from the Emerald Isle worth your consideration. One such dish is shepherd’s pie. So, in preparation of your, perhaps, partaking in the pie, let’s look at its history.
Those are the facts. Now, before I proceed, I want to make sure we’re clear on what precisely shepherd’s pie is. Here goes. It’s a hearty dish with origins in the United Kingdom and Ireland composed of a ground meat cooked in gravy, onions, carrots, celery, and a mashed potato crust (can be top and bottom, or just top). I told you. It’s a slam dunk meal for a cold St. Paddy’s dinner. Anyway, given the makeup of the dish, and the facts presented above, here’s what’s suspected to have sparked the origin of shepherd’s pie.
The second reason is that shepherd’s pie has as much claim to Ireland as any other food out there. Unlike current variations of corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie actually is an Irish delicacy.
Classic Shepherd’s Pie | Gordon Ramsay
FAQ
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