The Perfect...

Your cut-out-and-keep guide to the fundamentals of cooking

Shepherd’s pie

With busy families, shepherd’s pie is a convenient and easy dish to cook. It’s also nutritious.

Traditionally, shepherd’s pie was a way of utilising leftovers. You would use leftover beef or lamb and mince, and create a ‘one pot wonder’ dish.

The inclusion of Bovril gives a deeper, meatier flavour. It also gives a richer colour.

You can add more veg, such as celery or peas, to build up to your five-a-day. I always add extra carrots, and any root veg will go well. Or you can change up the potato topping by adding sweet potato and sharp cheese. Celeriac also mixes well.

Whether your mash is wet or dry is up to personal taste. Avoid adding cold milk to your potatoes, as it can generate lumps.

The egg yolk gives a deeper flavour and colour, and also creates a gratinated, crispier texture on the top.