Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed as a hearty main course. However, it is important to remember that it is high in calories, fat and sodium.

The main ingredients of Shepherd's Pie are lamb or beef, vegetables and mashed potatoes, which provide various essential nutrients. Lamb or beef is a good source of protein, iron, zinc and vitamin B12. Vegetables such as carrots, celery and peas provide vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium. Potatoes are a good source of potassium and vitamin C. The cheese and butter on mashed potatoes can provide calcium and vitamin D.

However, excessive consumption of red meat, such as ground lamb or beef, may be associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer and heart disease. Therefore, it is important that you limit your intake of red meat and choose lean cuts of meat. Also, you can make the recipe vegetarian by replacing the ground lamb or beef with lentils or chickpeas.

It is important to remember that mashed potatoes are high in carbohydrates and can contribute to weight gain if consumed in large quantities. Also, cheese and butter are high in fat and calories, so it's important to use them in moderation.

In general, shepherd's pie is best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet rather than consumed regularly. And always remember that you can make it healthier by using thinner cuts of meat, reducing the amount of butter or cheese on mashed potatoes and using less oil for cooking.

Shepherd's Pie is a classic British dish made with ground lamb or beef, vegetables and mashed potatoes. This recipe serves 4-6 people.

Raw materials:

• 1 lb ground lamb or beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks of celery, diced
• 1 cup frozen chickpeas
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4-6 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 egg yolk (optional)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large pot or pan, brown the ground lamb or beef over medium-high heat. Remove excess fat. Add the onion, garlic, carrot and celery to the pan and fry for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are soft. Stir in frozen peas, tomato paste, beef broth, flour, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water for 12-15 minutes or until tender. Drain and return to pot. Mash potatoes with milk and butter until smooth. Stir in egg yolks if using. Spread the beef mixture in an even layer in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes over the beef mixture. If you choose, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the mashed potatoes. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Note: You can make this recipe vegetarian by replacing the ground lamb or beef with lentils or chickpeas.

Enjoy your homemade shepherd's pie! This hearty and comforting dish is perfect for cold winter evenings. It can be served with a green salad or steamed vegetables on the side.