What is the origin of sheppard's pie?

Question

i always like to tell a story or the history about the food we are eating during dinner. I'm sure it was not originally made with the free range hamburger I'm using, but does anyone know from what country or what ingredients sheppard's pie originates?

Answer 1

The English tradition of meat pies dates back to the Middle ages. Game pie, pot pie and mutton pie were popular and served in pastry "coffyns." These pies were cooked for hours in a slow oven, and topped with rich aspic jelly and other sweet spices. The eating of "hote [meat] pies" is mentioned in Piers Plowman, and English poem written in the 14th Century. (Cooking of the British Isles, Adrian Bailey, pages 156-7) The Elizabethans favored minced pies. "A typical Elizabethan recipe ran: Shred your meat (mutton or beef) and suet together fine. Season it with cloves, mace, pepper and some saffron, great raisins and prunes..."

The key to dating Shepherd's pie is the introduction (and acceptance) of potatoes in England. Potatoes are a new world food. They were first introduced to Europe in 1520 by the Spanish. Potatoes did not appeal to the British palate until the 18th Century. (Foods America Gave the World, A. Hyatt Verrill, page 28). Shepherd's Pie, a dish of minced meat (usually lamb, when made with beef it is called "Cottage Pie") topped with mashed potatoes was probably invented sometime in the 18th Century by frugal peasant housewives looking for creative ways to serve leftover meat to their families. It is generally agreed that it originated in the north of England and Scotland where there are large numbers of sheep--hence the name. The actual phrase "Shepherd's Pie" dates back to the 1870s, when mincing machines made the shredding of meat easy and popular."

Answer 2

Sheppard's pie contains lamb and
cottage pie contains beef
i think Sheppard's pie tastes much better
lovely with turnip mixed in with the mashed potatoes
and add oxos to the lamb when you cooking it
you can put grated cheese on top if you want to

i know this doesn't answer your question
but you now have my opinion of Sheppard's pie

Answer 3

Shepards Pie Origin

Answer 4

Shepherd Pie Wiki

Answer 5

Make Over 200 Juicy, Mouth-Watering Paleo Recipes You've NEVER Seen or Tasted Before?

Answer 6

sorry - this is an English dish - it traditionally was done with hamburger, vegetables, and topped wtih mashed potatoes - there are many varieties of sheppard's pie however, because it was something that was to be thrown together at the end of a day.

Answer 7

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/hhf4L

Guaranteed you will like this: 8 Lg potatoes...Peel, cube, cook, mash with LITTLE milk and butter, salt and pepper. Till JUST creamy 1 and 1/2 lbs.LEAN ground beef or leftover beef roast or mixture of two. 1/2 cup chopped onions 1 green pepper chopped Shredded cheddar(about 8 oz) Grease a large casserole or 13x9x2 size pan or spray with Pam. In Lg. skillet brown meat, onion and gr. pepper with little marg or butter. season to taste with s & p. Drain Fat To assemble pie: layer 1/2 the potatoes in bottom evenly. Next layer of ground meat, Can add veggies of choice if desired at this point. i use leftover whatever I have sometimes, but not necessary if you don't want them., then rest of the potatoes on top of the meat layer. . Sprinkle Cheddar over all and bake 25-35 min or till bubbly and cheese is brown lightly.

Answer 8

Just backing up the ones who said it's a Scottish dish.
The very first answer is the correct one.
My family is from Scotland and it's a very popular dish in our family. Many other countries have taken and modified and made it their own, but it's origins are Scottish.
Also, it is usually made with hamburger now, but they did use lamb originally. I believe they still do in Scotland. There were so many shepards there, and lamb was more available than beef.

Answer 9

Shepherd's pie originated in Scotland, but I think they probably used lamb at first because it was the most readily available and obvious choice for the shepherds who came up with the idea.

Answer 10

My Grandmother made Shepherd's Pie with ground lamb, chopped onion, diced carrots, gravy and mashed potatoes on top. She probably put seasonings in too.
She said if it was made with ground beef it was Cottage Pie.
Shepherds look after sheep!