Spiced Shepherd's Pie

Looking for a new, exciting take on this St Patrick’s Day classic, or just something different to the old cliched corned beef and cabbage? This Shepherd’s Pie recipe makes for the perfect dinner party meal, or make it if you’re looking for quick, easy, recipes for leftover mashed potato.

Serves 6

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2lb ground lamb
• 1 onion, diced
• ½ cup canned tomatoes
• 4 tbsp Smoki Seasoning Salt
• 2 tbsp Mogambo Garlic Spread (optional)
• 4 green onions, sliced
• 2 tbsp plain flour (optional)
• 6 potatoes, peeled
• ¼ cup of butter
• ¼ cup of milk
• ½ tsp white pepper
• Salt, to taste

Method:

1. To start, make the potatoes. Heat a pot of water over a high heat, and add the potatoes. Cook over a medium heat until the potatoes are cooked through, and drain. 
2. Mash the potatoes, add the butter, milk, white pepper, and stir to combine. Add enough salt to taste (this will be a lot more salt than you think!), and finish with the green onions. 
3. Heat a cast iron pan, Dutch oven, or oven safe pan over a high heat. Add the ground lamb, this won’t need any oil, there should be enough fat in the lamb. Stir frequently, breaking up any large chunks as it cooks. Allow to cook until all the water that’s released has evaporated, and the lamb starts to fry. Allow to cook, stirring frequently until the lamb is well browned, and add the onions. Cook for 2 minutes, and add the flour. Cook, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes until the flour smells nice and toasty. 
4. Add the tomatoes, Mogambo and Smoki, and a splash of water to deglaze the pan. When the liquid is absorbed, add more water if needed. You want it to be quite thick, similar to a gravy consistency. When it’s ready, add salt to taste. 
5. Spoon the potato over the lamb mix, and spread out evenly. Using the side of the spoon, make little ridges in the potato as you spread it out, these will get nice and crispy. 
6. Heat your broiler to high, and add the Shepherd’s pie. The cooking time will vary, give it long enough for the potatoes to get nice, crispy golden brown bits on top. If you want to make it in advance, just get it ready, and add it to an oven preheated to 200c/400f, for 30-40 minutes until it’s crispy on top and heated through. Serve! 

Chef’s notes: Can’t find lamb, or just don’t like it? Sub in ground beef, it is now cottage pie. Don't have Mogambo? Just add 2 cloves of chopped garlic when cooking the onions.