I like Pie!

I've always wanted to make my own cottage/shepherd's pie. I've eaten plenty but i haven't officially made my own, save one time. Unfortunately, my house never had a workable oven ever since I was ten. I still want to make the pie, really badly. So when i move into a new place or if i see a good bargain, i'm going to get an oven so that i can make my very own homemade Shepherd's Pie! Who knows what else i would be able to do with my oven? I could even try making cheesecakes!

But first things first. What's shepherd's pie really?

It's a traditional English dish, lined with grounded meat and cut up vegetables, bathed in Worchestershire sauce and broth. Finally, it's topped off with a thick, creamy layer of mashed potatoes and then shoved into the oven to be baked till golden brown!

What's the difference between Shepherd's Pie and Cottage Pie? The filling. Traditional Shepherd's Pies are lined with mutton or lamb, whereas Cottage Pies are lined with beef. But i guess along the years, it's all been mixed and matched. Now, people even use chicken to line the pies with, which seems a fine alternative to me any day! What's important is you make it your own and like what you prepare!

I also love this dish because of how easy it is to make! Don't believe me?

INGREDIENTS:
1. Minced/Grounded meat/beef
2. 1 onion chopped
3. Mixed Vegetables - chopped carrots, corn, peas
4. Potatoes (A few big ones)
5. Butter

6. Beef broth/local oxtail soup? *lol* /think-up-your-own-alternative

7. Barbeque sauce
8. Salt, pepper, and other seasonings of choice
9. Milk/Cream

A. Boil the peeled potatoes in salted water. You can choose to cut them in fours to speed things up.
B. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan and sauté (fancy word for cook or roast) till it looks softened up a bit. It'll be great if you keep the flame small throughout. You wouldn't want to burn the butter.
C. When the onions are ready, throw in the mixed vegetables, followed by the meat. Now if you're chopping your own vegetable mix, put the corn and peas in after the meat is sautéd well. How to judge that? It turns from raw pink to yummy brown.
D. Add seasonings now. Salt and Pepper and any favorite appropriate thing. Squeeze in some barbeque sauce.
E. Pour in half a cup of broth to the mix. Tend to it for about ten minutes, pouring in a bit of broth from time to time to keep moist. Spread it onto a baking dish or pan, and that's done!

F. The potatoes should be ready by now. Mash them up real good with butter and a little milk. If you're one to be health conscious then substitute butter with olive oil! It is rather expensive though. Add a bit of seasoning for taste, if necessary. It's really up to you!

G. Now, spread a yummy layer of your mashed potatoes onto the meat-veggie mix. Rough up the surface a bit, so that the pointy ends will get all golden and crusty in the oven. You can even make patterns and whatnots! *chuckles*
H. Shove it into the oven now. Cook it at 400 degrees for half an hour, till it's all goldeny and gurgling. Of course, the time set really depends on the size of the serving. You may have to keep it in there a little more just to brown it. It's all cooked inside anyway, so no worries!

Bon appétit!

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