# Shepards Pie........Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 13, 2005, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091 "2005-04-13T05:27:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Roboto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@Mr.Roboto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Roboto)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/1 "2005-04-13T05:27:44Z")
Mrs. Roboto served a much ballyhoued casserole type entre called Shepards Pie. Without a doubt, it was the most mundane drivel I have injested in a long Time. Although I am greatful for any food and not one to displease the chef, I would probably prefer anything to this dish in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/2 "2005-04-13T05:34:16Z")
That’s a pity. I love a good shepherd’s pie myself. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/3 "2005-04-13T05:38:00Z")
It may be that Mrs. Roboto was working from a published recipe. When one works from another’s recipe the first time, it’s good to follow it exactly, to mark a baseline. If the basic idea is not horrible, then you know what spices to add to make it wonderful. I guess if you’ve been goofin’ wit’ de sheep all day, anything tastes great. Most cooks, on the first try, say, “Well, I’ll know what to do next time.” ---
**Author:** ![Shana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Shana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shana)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/4 "2005-04-13T05:43:25Z")
Hm, it’s been my experience that Shepherd’s Pie is either to die for delicious or the most vile thing ever. I won’t order it in a restaurant because it’s usually the latter. My aunt makes a very good one though. Maybe it was the recipie? ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/5 "2005-04-13T05:51:33Z")
Well first of all, was it really Shepherd’s Pie or was it Cottage Pie? That is, was it lamb or beef? Either way, no, it’s not the most exciting dish…but I consider it the ultimate comfort food. But a certain amount of seasoning is crucial. Find a better recipe. ---
**Author:** ![Fortean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/96bed5/32.png) [@Fortean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fortean)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/6 "2005-04-13T08:53:42Z")
Try it with pickled beetrot. It is the delish, and also makes the mash potatoes purple. Tops! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/7 "2005-04-13T11:09:10Z")
Shepard’s Pie…yummy! When in the right hands. Clearly, she is planning for your Golden Years when you are in SunnyBrook Retirement Home. Bland overcooked food for all! ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous\_Coward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@Anonymous\_Coward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymous_Coward)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/8 "2005-04-13T12:34:35Z")
Any Shepards Pie has to be better than the version served in the Canadian Armed Forces ration packs during the mid-90s. Yargh… ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/9 "2005-04-13T12:43:09Z")
It might not be exciting but it is damn good comfort food. I’m almost looking forward to winter. Roll on Shepards and Cottage pie (ok in reality only once or twice all winter, but I’m still looking forward to it). ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/10 "2005-04-13T13:09:31Z")
> [@Fortean](#): > > Try it with pickled beetrot. Yum yum, beetrot. Rotting beets might just about be the only thing in the world more disgusting than beets. Tough call, though. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/11 "2005-04-13T13:35:00Z")
I love Shepherd’s Pie. Usually I do this: add Patak’s Kashmiri Masala (a great secret ingredient used in place of garlic) to the mince mixture add a layer of something else between the mince and potato layer - beans, peas, corn, baked beans…whatever… (looks good in a clear baking dish) top with sliced tomato and grated cheese when nearly done and lentils instead of meat makes a pretty good vegetarian version, just use a bit more masala ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/12 "2005-04-13T13:38:42Z")
What else do you do with leftover shepherd? This is one of those things that we Yanks are clueless on. Exactly what IS this dish anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/13 "2005-04-13T13:44:04Z")
> [@betenoir](#): > > Well first of all, was it really Shepherd’s Pie or was it Cottage Pie? > > That is, was it lamb or beef? > > Either way, no, it’s not the most exciting dish…but I consider it the ultimate comfort food. But a certain amount of seasoning is crucial. Find a better recipe. You don’t list a location, but in America we overwhelmingly call beef, mashed potatoes and corn “Shepherd’s Pie”. If you order Shepherd’s Pie in a bar, or someone tells you they’re making Shepherd’s Pie for dinner, you’re getting beef. It may not be original, English/Irish usage, but it’s common usage here, found in cookbooks, web sites, and restaurants. Of course, if you’re my Maine mom, you just call it “Chinese Party”. (which I asked about it GQ one day, and it turns out that the French Canadians call “Shepherd’s Pie”, “Pate Chinois”. . .probably mildly insulting. . .a further bastardization presumably yields Chinese Party) ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/14 "2005-04-13T14:32:14Z")
Are you familiar with the Hawaiian version – Shephard’s Poi? ---
**Author:** ![seosamh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@seosamh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seosamh)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/15 "2005-04-13T14:34:57Z")
ShephErd’s Pie - with an E. ---
**Author:** ![Elysian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c77e96/32.png) [@Elysian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysian)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/16 "2005-04-13T14:43:55Z")
Mmm mmm. Shepherd’s Pie. I suppose your wife is not flavoring it correctly. I usually work from a mix imported from England. Then I add mince, water, chopped carrots, onions and peas. Add a layer of mashed potatoes and cook until crispy on top. Add salt and pepper to the top of the potatoes and there you go. It’s also delightful reheated. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/17 "2005-04-13T14:58:55Z")
I have had really yummy shepherd’s pie. I have had incredibly vile shepherd’s pie. I’m sorry that you encountered a shepherd’s pie toward the latter end of the scale. **Mr.Roboto**. Someday, a better version will _almost_ make up for it. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/18 "2005-04-13T15:00:00Z")
Yeah, Shepherd’s Pie itself can be bland, especially if you just use lean ground beef, frozen corn, and mashed potatoes without much salt or butter. But, with a flavorful mashed potato, enough salt & pepper in some fatty beef, perhaps some canned, creamed corn, and an appropriate topping (gravy, hot sauce, or KETCHUP, yes ketchup) it can be a tasty dish. I think if you start getting carried away with carrots, onions, garlic or too many spices, you can take away from the simple goodness of it. Those are all worthwhile additions from time to time, but we don’t need _savory overload_ with EVERY DISH we eat. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/19 "2005-04-13T15:00:55Z")
Next time go the whole nine yards and have Sheep Dip as an appetizer while the pie is baking. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091/20 "2005-04-13T15:21:00Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > You don’t list a location, but in America we overwhelmingly call beef, mashed potatoes and corn “Shepherd’s Pie”. > > If you order Shepherd’s Pie in a bar, or someone tells you they’re making Shepherd’s Pie for dinner, you’re getting beef. > > It may not be original, English/Irish usage, but it’s common usage here, found in cookbooks, web sites, and restaurants. I don’t know where in America YOU are, but that hasn’t been my experience in the suburbs of Chicago. The shepherd’s pies I have had are beef and lamb, and there’s no corn but there are carrots and peas. When I make it myself, it’s cottage pie (no lamb) but it still doesn’t have corn in it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shepards-pie-why/299091.md?page=2)