Shepherds Pie with Root Vegetable Mash

Recipe Introduction: Warming Up with Winter Dinners

Fancy a proper belly warmer? It's getting nippy, isn't it? Do you crave comforting meals that stick to your ribs on those chilly evenings? This shepherd's pie with root vegetable mash is just the ticket! It’s the perfect winter comfort food .

Honestly, this version will make you forget all about those sad ready meals.

A Taste of Home: Shepherd's Pie with a Twist

Shepherd's pie is a classic winter recipe from the British Isles. It's a dish that's been passed down through generations.

It takes a humble lamb stew and elevates it with a creamy, vibrant mash. This recipe is medium difficulty, taking around 2 hours from start to finish, and will feed about 6 hungry souls.

What Makes This Shepherd's Pie Special?

The best thing about it? The root vegetable mash . Parsnips and carrots add a subtle sweetness and a load of extra vitamins.

It’s like a hug in a dish, perfect for when you need a bit of cheering up. Think of it as a proper British winter dinners staple! This hearty winter dinners recipe is sure to become a firm family favorite.

Get Ready to Gather Your Ingredients!

So, what will you need? Don't panic, the ingredients are simple, and you can easily find them at your local supermarket.

Time to create some magic and transform them into the best easy winter dinners ! Let's get cracking!

Right then, let's talk grub! We're diving into my take on Shepherd's Pie , a classic winter recipe , but with a cheeky root vegetable mash twist! This winter comfort food is proper lush.

Honestly, it's one of my favourite comforting meals for when the weather's doing its worst.

Gear Up: Ingredients and Equipment

This section is all about what you need to nail this easy winter dinner . Don't worry, it's mostly stuff you probably already have knocking about.

Main Ingredients

Okay, first things first, the shopping list for this hearty winter dinner .

• For the Lamb Stew:

  • Olive oil: 1 tbsp (15 ml) . Go for extra virgin. It makes a difference, trust me.
  • Ground lamb: 1.5 lbs (700g) . Look for lamb that's bright red, not too pale. That's a good sign of quality.
  • Onion: 1 large, diced . Nothing fancy, just a regular brown onion will do.
  • Carrots: 2, diced . Adds a bit of sweetness, which is lovely against the lamb.
  • Celery: 2 stalks, diced .
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced . Fresh is always best.
  • Tomato paste: 1 tbsp (15 ml) . This deepens the flavour.
  • Beef broth: 1 cup (240 ml) . Low sodium is the way to go, so you can control the salt.
  • Red wine (optional): 1/2 cup (120 ml) . A dry one, like a Merlot. If not grape juice works great too!
  • Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp (15 ml) .
  • Dried thyme: 1 tsp (5 ml) .
  • Dried rosemary: 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) . These herbs make it feel like British winter dinners !
  • Bay leaf: 1 . Don't forget to take it out later.
  • Frozen peas: 1 cup (120g) . Chuck 'em in at the end.
  • Salt and pepper: To taste.

• For the Root Vegetable Mash:

  • Potatoes: 1.5 lbs (700g) , peeled and cubed. I use Maris Piper, but any good mashing potato will do.
  • Parsnips: 1 lb (450g) , peeled and cubed. These add a lovely sweetness.
  • Carrots: 1 lb (450g) , peeled and cubed. More veg is never a bad thing.
  • Unsalted butter: 4 tbsp (56g) . Proper butter, none of that spread stuff.
  • Milk or cream: 1/4 cup (60 ml) . Makes it nice and creamy.
  • Salt and white pepper: To taste. White pepper's a bit fancier.

Seasoning Notes

Don't be shy with the herbs! Thyme and rosemary are the stars here, complementing the lamb beautifully. A good glug of Worcestershire sauce adds a savoury depth, so you can create easy winter dinners

Equipment Needed

Right, what kit do you need?

• Large Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot: Essential for the stew.
• Large saucepan: For boiling the veggies.
• Potato masher or ricer: A masher's fine, but a ricer makes it extra smooth.
• 9x13 inch baking dish: For assembling and baking. If you don't have one, use a large oven safe dish.

There you have it. This shepherd’s pie is filled with a rich, savory lamb and vegetable stew, seasoned with warming herbs and topped with a colorful and subtly sweet parsnip, carrot, and potato mash.

Cooking Method: Shepherd's Pie with Root Vegetable Mash Proper Comfort Food!

Honestly, who doesn't love shepherd's pie ? It's a classic for a reason! But let’s kick it up a notch with a vibrant root vegetable mash topping.

This isn’t your nan's shepherd’s pie (though bless her heart). This is elevated winter comfort food . Trust me, it's a proper easy winter dinner the whole family will love, especially when the weather outside is frightful.

Prep Steps: Essential Mise en Place (That's Fancy Talk for 'Get Organized'!)

First things first, chop everything! Diced onion, carrots, and celery for the stew. Peel and cube your potatoes, parsnips, and carrots for the mash.

Mince the garlic. It's like playing chef Tetris. Seriously, prepping ahead saves so much time. Also, give your ground lamb a once over.

Make sure there aren't any surprise bone fragments lurking about.

step-by-step: Turning Humble Ingredients into Winter Dinners

1. Brown the ground lamb in your Dutch oven. Drain any extra fat like it owes you money.
2. Sauté your diced onion, carrots, and celery until soft. This should take about 8- 10 minutes .
3. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste . Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Deglaze the pot with red wine (if using). Get all the browned bits off the bottom, as this is flavor.
5. Stir in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, rosemary, and a bay leaf . Simmer it all for 1 hour , covered. This will make the lamb super tender!
6. Stir in frozen peas and cook for 5 minutes . Season with salt and pepper. Remove the bay leaf before you forget!
7. Boil potatoes, parsnips, and carrots until fork tender . Drain them well.
8. Mash veggies with butter and milk/cream . Season with salt and white pepper.

Assembling and Baking Your Hearty Winter Dinners

Pour the lamb stew into a baking dish. Spread that colourful root vegetable mash on top, all lovely and even.

Bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 20- 25 minutes until the mash is golden. Let it rest for 10 minutes before digging in!

Pro Tips for the Perfect Shepherd's Pie Classic Winter Recipes

• Don't overcrowd the pan when browning the lamb. Do it in batches. Seriously.
• Make the stew a day ahead . The flavours meld together and it tastes even better! A proper British winter dinner .
• For an extra golden top, broil for the last few minutes . Watch it like a hawk, though, or you'll have a burnt offering!

This lamb stew is honestly one of my favorite comforting meals to make. It always reminds me of chilly evenings snuggled up with a good book.

I hope this recipe brings you as much joy and warmth as it brings me. Give it a go and let me know what you think! Cheers!

Recipe Notes for the Perfect Shepherd's Pie

Right, so you're ready to tackle this Shepherd's Pie with Root Vegetable Mash ? Ace! Before you dive in, let's chat about a few things that'll make your life easier, and your winter dinners even tastier.

Honestly, I've made this so many times, I reckon I could do it with my eyes closed (but don't try that at home!).

I learned this recipe from my mum, its classic winter recipes ! She has a very specific and personal way of doing the hearty winter dinners .

Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro

This Shepherd's Pie is proper winter comfort food , so make it look the part, yeah? Think rustic charm. Serve each portion hot, straight from the oven.

I like to add a sprig of fresh rosemary on top for a bit of colour. It makes it a bit more stylish and the flavour goes well with the lamb stew .

On the side? Steamed green beans or some broccoli are winners. A crisp side salad with vinaigrette cuts through the richness nicely, or a pint of your favourite stout is awesome with this easy winter dinners .

Storage Tips: Keeping It Fresh

If you've got leftovers (unlikely, mind you!), they'll keep in the fridge for up to three days . Make sure it's in an airtight container.

You can also freeze individual portions for a quick and easy winter dinners option down the line. To reheat, simply microwave until piping hot, or bake in the oven at 350° F ( 175° C) until warmed through.

Reheating might dry it out a little. So, add a splash of beef broth to keep it moist.

Variations: Making it Your Own

Fancy a twist? For a vegetarian version, swap the lamb for lentils or a mix of mushrooms and walnuts. Trust me, it's delish! If you're after some extra spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the stew.

For a sweeter mash, try using some sweet potatoes instead of potatoes. You get a British winter dinners that is really your own, with just a few little changes.

Nutrition Basics: Fuel for the Soul

Let's be real, we're not making health food here. But this Shepherd's Pie is surprisingly good for you. It's packed with protein, thanks to the lamb, and the root vegetable mash gives you a good dose of vitamins and fiber.

The average serving has around 450 calories , 30g of protein , 20g of fat , 40g of carbohydrates , and 8g of fiber .

It's one of those comforting meals that are also fairly nutritious.

See, that wasn’t so bad, was it? This Shepherd's Pie is perfect for those chilly evenings. Go on, give it a go, and enjoy the heartwarming goodness of this winter dinners classic!