Nigella Shepherds Pie features sweet potatoes, garlic, ginger, onion, cardamom, cumin, coriander, coconut oil, garam masala, chili flakes, turmeric, minced lamb, chopped tomatoes, red lentils, Maldon sea salt flakes, and Worcestershire sauce. It takes 60 minutes to make and serves four.
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🧡 Why You’ll Love This Shepherds Pie Recipe:
- Rich in Flavors: Balanced spices and hearty lamb create a satisfying meal.
- Healthy Twist: Sweet potatoes offer a nutritious alternative to traditional mashed potatoes.
- Easy Preparation: Straightforward steps for a delicious homemade dinner.
❓What Is Nigella Shepherds Pie Recipe?
Nigella Shepherds Pie is a hearty dish made with minced lamb, fragrant spices, and a creamy sweet potato topping, baked until golden.
🍠 Nigella Shepherds Pie Ingredients
For the topping
- 1 kilogram sweet potatoes
- 2 teaspoons Maldon sea salt flakes
- 2 x 15ml tablespoons white peppercorns
- 6 cardamom pods (cracked)
- peeled strips from 1 unwaxed lime and juice of ½ lime
- 4 centimetres piece fresh ginger (peeled) – plus more for filling (see below)
For the filling:
- 3 cloves garlic (peeled)
- 4 centimetres piece fresh ginger (peeled)
- 1 onion (peeled)
- seeds from 6 cardamom pods
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
- 2 x 15ml tablespoons cold-pressed coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon dried chilli flakes
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 500 grams minced lamb
- 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 100 grams red lentils
- 1 teaspoon Maldon sea salt flakes
- 2 x 15ml tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
🍲 How To Make Nigella Shepherds Pie
- Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C Fan/gas mark 7/425°F.
- Cut sweet potatoes into 4-5cm/2in chunks and boil in salted water until easily pierced with a fork.
- Blend garlic, ginger, onion, cardamom, cumin, and coriander until finely chopped for aromatic flavor.
- Cook blended mixture in coconut oil until fragrant and softened, enhancing the base flavors.
- Add garam masala, chili flakes, and turmeric, then incorporate lamb mince until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in chopped tomatoes, water from the can, and red lentils for a hearty, protein-rich filling.
- Mash sweet potatoes with reserved cooking liquid and lime juice to create a creamy, tangy texture.
- Infuse mashed potatoes with grated ginger juice for a vibrant kick, adjusting seasoning to taste.
- Divide flavorful lamb mixture into individual or one large dish, topping evenly with sweet potato mash.
- Bake until golden and bubbling, small dishes for 10-15 minutes or larger dish for 30-35 minutes.
💭 Recipe Tips
- Toast Your Spices: Toasting the cumin and coriander seeds before blending intensifies their flavors, enhancing the aromatic base of the filling.
- Blend Well: Ensure the garlic, ginger, onion, and spices are finely blended for a smooth and even distribution of flavors throughout the filling.
- Coconut Oil Infusion: Cooking the spice blend in coconut oil adds a subtle tropical note and enhances the overall richness of the dish.
🥗 What To Serve With Shepherds Pie?
Serve shepherds pie with a side of Potato Salad, Feta Watermelon Salad, Poinsettia Cocktail, Courgette Fritters, or Butter Bean Mash for a satisfying meal.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Shepherds Pie?
- In the fridge: Store leftovers shepherds pie in an airtight container for 3 days.
- In the freezer: Store leftovers shepherds pie in a freezer-safe container for 3 months.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Shepherds Pie?
- In the oven: Reheat leftovers shepherds pie for 7 minutes at 350°F until heated through.
- In the microwave: Reheat leftovers shepherds pie on high for 3-5 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- In the air-fryer: Reheat leftovers shepherds pie for 5 minutes at 350°F until warmed.
FAQ’S
How Do You Ensure The Sweet Potato Mash Is Creamy?
Mash sweet potatoes with their reserved cooking liquid and lime juice. This ensures a creamy texture while adding tangy flavor notes.
How Do You Prevent The Sweet Potato Mash From Being Too Watery?
Drain the sweet potatoes well after boiling to remove excess water. Gradually add the reserved cooking liquid back in while mashing until the desired consistency is achieved.
What’s The Difference Between Shepherds Pie And Cottage Pie?
Shepherds Pie traditionally uses minced lamb, while Cottage Pie uses minced beef. Both are topped with mashed potatoes and baked, but the meat is the key distinction.
How Do You Prevent The Sweet Potato Topping From Drying Out?
Cover the dish with foil while baking to retain moisture in the sweet potato mash. This prevents it from drying out and ensures a creamy topping.
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Nigella Shepherds Pie Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 693
- Total Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 17ggrams85%Daily Value
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 16g
- Cholesterol: 174mg
- Sodium: 1481mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 52g
- Dietary Fiber: 6.7g
- Sugars: 8.3g
- Protein: 34g
- Potassium: 1499mg
Nigella Shepherds Pie
Description
Nigella Shepherds Pie features sweet potatoes, garlic, ginger, onion, cardamom, cumin, coriander, coconut oil, garam masala, chili flakes, turmeric, minced lamb, chopped tomatoes, red lentils, Maldon sea salt flakes, and Worcestershire sauce. It takes 60 minutes to make and serves four.
Ingredients
For the topping
For the filling:
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C Fan/gas mark 7/425°F.
- Cut sweet potatoes into 4-5cm/2in chunks and boil in salted water until easily pierced with a fork.
- Blend garlic, ginger, onion, cardamom, cumin, and coriander until finely chopped for aromatic flavor.
- Cook blended mixture in coconut oil until fragrant and softened, enhancing the base flavors.
- Add garam masala, chili flakes, and turmeric, then incorporate lamb mince until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in chopped tomatoes, water from the can, and red lentils for a hearty, protein-rich filling.
- Infuse mashed potatoes with grated ginger juice for a vibrant kick, adjusting seasoning to taste.
- Divide flavorful lamb mixture into individual or one large dish, topping evenly with sweet potato mash.
- Bake until golden and bubbling, small dishes for 10-15 minutes or larger dish for 30-35 minutes.
Notes
- Toast Your Spices: Toasting the cumin and coriander seeds before blending intensifies their flavors, enhancing the aromatic base of the filling.
Blend Well: Ensure the garlic, ginger, onion, and spices are finely blended for a smooth and even distribution of flavors throughout the filling.
Coconut Oil Infusion: Cooking the spice blend in coconut oil adds a subtle tropical note and enhances the overall richness of the dish.