Shepherd's pie



Shepherd's pie (made with minced lamb) or cottage pie (made with minced beef) is a meat pie with a crust of mashed potato.

Etymology
The term cottage pie was in use by 1791, when the potato was being introduced as an edible crop affordable for the poor (cf. "cottage" meaning a modest dwelling for rural workers).

History
In early cookery books, the dish was a means of using leftover roasted meat of any kind, and the pie dish was lined with mashed potato as well as having a mashed potato crust on top.

The term "shepherd's pie" did not appear until 1877, and since then it is sometimes used synonymously with "cottage pie", regardless of whether the principal ingredient is beef or mutton. In the United Kingdom, the term "shepherd's pie" is typically used when the meat is lamb.

Variations

 * The Shepherdess pie is a variation made without meat (vegetarian) and sometimes without dairy (vegan).
 * The Cumberland pie is a version with a layer of breadcrumbs on top.
 * A St. Stephen's Day pie is made using turkey and ham.
 * A similar English dish made with fish is a fish pie.