My shepherd's pie

[In the Kitchen]

Thanks for having patience with me. Seems you people have to handle me with fragile thoughts. I am limited it seems when it comes to change. I do appreciate your time Thanks.

[waaza]

Originally Posted by kitchenelf

Chef Ramsay is English I do believe.

snip

GR was born in Scotland, though brought up in England, hence the attitude

Desiree potatoes are neither too fluffy nor too waxy, but use your favourite ones for the mash. Traditionally, shepherd's pie was made from the lamb left over from the Sunday roast, mixed with vegetables in a thick gravy, then topped with mashed potato, and browned in the oven. No cheese.

GR's recipe indicates he is just a cook trying to be a

One maxim which might be followed here, 'don't mess with tradition'.
cheers
Waaza

the beef/corn pie could be called 'colonial pie'.

[In the Kitchen]

i truly appreciate all this info regarding the Shepherd's Pie. I do have this leftover lamb that I plan on using for this recipe. However, since the ingredients were with this metric measure really confusing. Lamb is too durn expensive to get the recipe messed up. wazza,you make it with lamb or what do you fix it with? I will just use regular potatoes then since I don't think the store has the desiree potatoes. Wonder if this would make a big difference from the ones Chef used.

Andy, don't you think this metric is really confusing? 300ml 1 1/4 cup? There is no way to relate these measurements. Like starting all over to cook. Just wonder why all these changes? Just hope this Shepherd's Pie turns out after going through all this. Once again I thank you all.

[Andy M.]

ITK:

The metric system is just something new to Americans. It is actually easier to use once you get accustomed to it. Most measuring cups have cups on one side and metric on the other. That makes it a little easier.

Shepherd's pie is one of those traditional recipes that varied from house to house based on what the housewife had on hand that day. It is a dish created to use up leftovers.

It absolutely does not matter what kind of potato you use to make the mashed potato topping. The desiree potatoes are just one person's version of the recipe.

If you want to add cheese to the dish, go ahead. The shepherd's pie police will not break down your door and arrest you.

[buckytom]

but they may take your pie!

[Andy M.]

If they want my pie, they will have to pry it from my cold dead hands.

[waaza]

I'm with Andy on this one, traditional probably meant whatever you had to hand, although:

beef = cottage pie
lamb/mutton/hogat = shepherd's pie
lamb/carrot/cheese = Cumberland pie

and now
beef/corn/cheese = Colonial pie

OK, a little humour makes the world go around....

but how many times have you ordered a dish/meal to find out that it was not what you thought it was, because the chef is lacking knowledge, or has his/her own take on it. I get pretty fed up about it.

And a survey I read about somewhere said that changing just one ingredient was generally accepted by people, but more than one was not, according to the poll. Does this mean that if I change two things in a recipe, it's a new recipe?
Is this just opinion, good taste or 'food law'?
cheers

[buckytom]

wazaa, i hate to say it, but you'd have a hard time finding a shepard's pie made with lamb here in the states.
since i love lamb, i always look or ask if it's on the menu, but i'm always disappointed to see it made with ground beef. it seems the intracacies have been lost in translation, and any ground meat in gravy, topped with mashed potatoes (and variations therein) is called shepard's pie.

as far as changing ingredients, you could always add your name to the beginning of the dish stating that this is your version, then add the details in the description. such as "kimbaby's shepard's pie".

if nothing else, it could be described as a fertility drug...

[GotGarlic]

Originally Posted by In the Kitchen

What nationality is Ramsay? He has the recipe with parmeasan for grating. Would you consider that adding cheese. This recipe is so involved than the ones posted here. Okay he has 250ml red wine and 300ml chicken stock l kg desiree potatoes, what in the world are desiree potatoes? Haven't clue with the measurements here. Guess I will have to catch up with 21st by checking out threads here with measurements. I am lazy, I do like someone to tell me. Chef uses lot of thyme. All these things have to be bought special don't have them in the house.

Here's a site that will convert measurements from one method to the other: GourmetSleuth - Kitchen Conversion Calculator

I would print out the recipe, then go to the site above, make the conversions, and write them on the recipe. Then you'll be good to go

[kitchenelf]

Originally Posted by buckytom

if nothing else, it could be described as a fertility drug...