How do you make 'shepherd's pie?

My recipe....... Bearing in mind I live in the US and Lamb is rather expensive / hard to find.... 2-3lbs of premium minced beef (or lamb if you can find it) you need really, really non fatty. 1 large onion 3-4 carrots small tin of sliced/button mushrooms 2 packets brown gravy mix! Good 'instant' mash Butter Milk Cheese pepper/spices/salt etc can of cheap beer Throw the meat into a large/deep pan and add a small amount of olive oil.

While the meat is browning, slice the onion, not too fine though Once the meat starts to brown throw in some black pepper and 'random spices' plus the onion(s) and sliced carrots. A tin of button / sliced mushrooms is optional but good. Stir vigorously - you are trying to soften the onion a little in the juice from the meat.

Once soft, check the fat content - if there is appreciable fat /oil slap yourself for buying cheap meat and drain as much off as you can. Add the gravy mix packets (2) and some tomato paste Mix and heat Add liquid. I tend to thrown about 1/2 pint of 'cheap beer' in there (and drink the other half) but you can use water.

Turn down the heat and let the beer boil away a little - you are looking to make a thick sauce from the gravy mix / beer and tomato. Simmer for maybe 15 - 20 minutes? While this is happening, make up some mashed potato, I used Idaho spuds and use more milk than water to reconstitute them and over-do the butter and a small amount of salt.

I also add a couple of handfuls of grated mozzarella cheese to the mix! Once the simmering has reduced the liquid to a thick binding for the meat, spoon the mix into the bottom of a oven safe dish (I use pyrex so that I can see the food cook). Spread it about 1.5" or more thick.

Allow it to cool. Add the mashed potatoes to cover the meat and (hopefully) get close to the top of the dish. I then sprinkle red cheddar on top and a little black pepper.

Cook in the oven at ~325F for about 20-30 minutes. Gravy should be bubbling around the edge of the potato and the cheese melted and browning nicely. The above recipe feeds 3-5 people depending on how hungry they are!

This is a simple Shepherd's Pie recipe used in our family. Using leftover vegetables and/or meat makes this budget friendly. Works well with any of the meats listed: 4 cups cubed cooked meat (pork, lamb, veal, or beef) 2 1/2 cups gravy 2 to 3 cups leftover cooked vegetables 2 tablespoons parsley flakes salt and pepper to taste 3 cups hot, mashed potatoes 1 egg (well beaten) 1 package of shredded cheese Combine meat, gravy, vegetables, parsley flakes, salt and pepper in saucepan.

Heat to boiling, stirring often. Pour mixture into a 2 quart casserole. Combine potatoes and egg in a bowl; mix thoroughly.

Make a border around edge of caserrole or cover top completely with potato mixture. Bake in hot oven 15 minutes. Remove from oven and add shredded cheese to top and bake til golden brown.

This is my simple "without a recipe book" recipe! Take one pack of minced lamb. Put in fry pan and fry until golden.

Add a couple tbs of tomato paste, a dash of worcestershire sauce, sprinkle on a couple tbs flour (this will thicken it) and about a cup of beef stock. You can add a carrot chopped up finely and an onion too, if you want. Simmer until liquid has reduced (shouldn't be watery) Once this is done, put in a baking dish (I usually use a rectangular one) Boil 5/6 potatoes and mash with milk and butter, spread on top of cooked lamb mixture, then put in oven for about 20 minutes on high for the potato to brown on top.

If you want to put cheese on you can, although I don't as it's yummy as it is!

Found some recipes on the web that are reviewed as the best. Here they are for your kind ref: -----quote----

30 Minute Shepherd's Pie ------------------------------------- Ingredients ----------------- 2 pounds potatoes, such as russet, peeled and cubed 2 tablespoons sour cream or softened cream cheese 1 large egg yolk 1/2 cup cream, for a lighter version substitute vegetable or chicken broth Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan 1 3/4 pounds ground beef or ground lamb 1 carrot, peeled and chopped 1 onion, chopped 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup beef stock or broth 2 teaspoons Worcestershire, eyeball it 1/2 cup frozen peas, a couple of handfuls 1 teaspoon sweet paprika 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves Directions ---------------- Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain potatoes and pour them into a bowl.

Combine sour cream, egg yolk and cream. Add the cream mixture into potatoes and mash until potatoes are almost smooth. While potatoes boil, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat.

Add oil to hot pan with beef or lamb. Season meat with salt and pepper. Brown and crumble meat for 3 or 4 minutes.

If you are using lamb and the pan is fatty, spoon away some of the drippings. Add chopped carrot and onion to the meat. Cook veggies with meat 5 minutes, stirring frequently.In a second small skillet over medium heat cook butter and flour together 2 minutes.

Whisk in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy 1 minute. Add gravy to meat and vegetables.

Stir in peas. Preheat broiler to high. Fill a small rectangular casserole with meat and vegetable mixture.

Spoon potatoes over meat evenly. Top potatoes with paprika and broil 6 to 8 inches from the heat until potatoes are evenly browned. Top casserole dish with chopped parsley and serve.

------end quote----- Found one more that is reviewed as the world's best pie. Do have a look : http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/Shepherds-Pie-L2086.html.

Check this link for a Visual Recipe: visualrecipes.com/recipe-details/recipe_... the YouTube video for a cheese variant.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.