Country Captain Shepherd's Pie

A fragrant shepherd's pie featuring slow-cooked shredded lamb shoulder, Indian spices, and a spinach-layered potato topping.

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving Total
Calories 1208.1 kcals 4832.4 kcals
Carbohydrates 34.9 grams 139.6 grams
Fat 87.2 grams 348.8 grams
Protein 71.1 grams 284.2 grams
Cook Time
180 mins
Produces
4 people
Allergies
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten Free

Ingredients

Dairy
1
tbsp
2
piece
Eggs
Medium
Meat
1.25
kg
Lamb Shoulder
Cleaned, kept whole, or leg
NutsSeeds
1
tsp
Cumin
For the filling
1
tbsp
Coriander Seeds
For the filling
50
g
Garlic
For the filling paste
2
piece
Cinnamon
2.5cm pieces or cassia bark
2
piece
2
piece
Dried Red Chilli
Large, broken into pieces
1
tsp
Salt
Plus extra for seasoning
1
g
Black Pepper
Freshly ground
1
tbsp
Coriander
Fresh, chopped
0.5
tsp
Cumin Seeds
For the topping
2
clove
Garlic
Finely chopped
1
piece
OilsFats
Vegetables
50
g
Ginger
Fresh root
3
piece
Onion
Medium, chopped
250
g
Tomatoes
Chopped
3
piece
Baking Potatoes
Large, peeled and roughly chopped
250
g
Spinach Leaves
Fresh, coarsely shredded

Steps

  • Preheat the oven to 140°C.
  • Toast cumin and coriander seeds in a dry pan until they change colour.
  • Grind toasted spices with ginger, garlic, and a little water into a fine paste.
  • Heat oil in a large oven-proof casserole dish.
  • Brown the whole lamb shoulder on all sides to seal it.
  • Remove lamb and add cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, peppercorns, and dried chillies to the pan.
  • Fry spices for 2 minutes and deglaze the pan with water.
  • Add onions and cook until soft and liquid evaporates.
  • Mix in the spice paste and cook for 6 minutes before returning the lamb.
  • Coat the lamb in the mixture, season with salt and pepper, and cover.
  • Bake in the oven for 2 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Add chopped tomatoes and bake for another 15 minutes.
  • Ensure meat is soft and retracting from the bone.
  • Remove lamb from the dish and let cool slightly.
  • Discard whole spices from the gravy.
  • Shred the meat off the bone and return it to the casserole gravy.
  • Cook on medium-low heat until the gravy thickens.
  • Stir in fresh coriander and spoon mixture into an oven-proof dish.
  • Boil potatoes in a saucepan until tender.
  • Drain and heat the potatoes briefly to remove excess moisture.
  • Pass potatoes through a ricer or mash into a smooth puree.
  • Finely chop butter with cumin seeds.
  • Fry the cumin butter until the seeds colour slightly.
  • Add the cumin seeds to the mashed potatoes.
  • Fry garlic and dried chilli in the remaining butter for one minute.
  • Toss spinach in the garlic butter until soft and spread over the lamb.
  • Mix eggs and cream into the potatoes until smooth.
  • Spread the potato mixture evenly over the spinach.
  • Bake at 140°C for 10 minutes, then at 180°C for 15 minutes until brown.
  • Serve with crusty bread or rice.