Cottage pie facts for kids
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Shepherd's pie
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| Type | Meat pie |
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| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Main ingredients | Beef Lamb and mutton Mashed potatoes |
| Variations | Cumberland pie, Shepherdess pie |
Shepherd's pie is a tasty dish with a topping of mashed potato. It is usually made with minced (ground) lamb or mutton. If it's made with minced beef, it's called cottage pie.
This dish can be made in many ways, whether at home or in a restaurant. The main ingredients are minced meat cooked in a gravy with onions. Sometimes vegetables like peas, celery, or carrots are added. The whole thing is then covered with a layer of mashed potato. While not traditional, some people like to add grated cheese on top of the mashed potato for extra flavor.
What's in a Name?
The name cottage pie was first used around 1791. This was when potatoes became a popular and cheap food for everyone, including people living in small homes called cottages.
The name shepherd's pie came later, in 1854. Sometimes, people use both names to mean the same dish, no matter if it has beef or lamb. However, in the United Kingdom, shepherd's pie usually means the dish is made with lamb.
A Bit of History
In older cookbooks, this dish was a clever way to use up leftover roasted meat. Cooks would line the pie dish with mashed potato, then add the meat, and finally put another layer of mashed potato on top. This made sure no food went to waste!
Different Kinds of Pies
Many other dishes are similar to shepherd's pie because they also have a mashed potato topping. Here are a few:
- Shepherdess pie is a version made without meat. It can be vegetarian (no meat) or even vegan (no meat or dairy).
- Cumberland pie is a modern version that can have beef or lamb. It often has a layer of breadcrumbs and cheese on top.
- A St. Stephen's Day pie is made using turkey and ham.
- In Brazil, a similar dish is called escondidinho. It can have fillings like chicken, jerked beef, or salted cod. It's often topped with mashed manioc instead of potatoes.
- In The Netherlands, a similar dish, sometimes with apples, is called a 'Filosoof' (Philosopher).
- A fish pie is an English dish. It has fish and seafood in a sauce, topped with mashed potato.
- In Quebec, Canada, a dish called Pâté chinois is a variation. It has ground beef at the bottom, canned corn in the middle, and mashed potato on top.
Images for kids
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Shepherd's pie in Tallinn, Estonia
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Shepherd's pie in an English restaurant
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See also
In Spanish: Cottage pie para niños
