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Monday, January 26, 2009

me first


I invented shepards pie! I know that sounds ridiculous but its true. I have never made this before and I probably have tasted it only once. The reason I have only tasted it once is I am not a big fan of ordering leftovers at a restaurant and isnt that what this is after all? (I tasted it because someone else ordered it, I had the steak au poivre.)



This is not even regular shepards pie because it is made with chicken so this further enhances my claim of invention.



I used some cooked chicken, some peas and carrots and I riced some potatoes for the crust, I never knew inventing could be so easy.



While there were some 'secrets' and some 'tricks' for the most part it is exactly like I said, and I invented it.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wVjMzL_RvSE/SD67jfAx59I/AAAAAAAAAwg/8uxmtZ43oyU/s400/recipe-cards.jpg
Cute cards, right? Not to fear I will not be sending out cards. I get asked for recipes every now and again and I dont mind sharing them even though I never really post them, so if you want a recipe for anything at anytime all you have to do is send me an e mail and you will get some haphazardly written codified thing with food in it in a haiku kind of stanza set up.



Nothing beats cracker love. Lets call this a 'studio shot.' This shot will help with the scale and to show that even a casserole can be 'fussy'.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

When I was in Dublin last summer, I looked and looked for a Shepard's pie in the restaurants we ate, wanted to sample an authentic one, but didn't find a Shepard's pie on any menus. I have my own recipe (lamb and lots of cheese!), I'll have to post one day. It'll be a challenge though to make the picture as pretty as yours!

Anonymous said...

omg, feed me. but i must say, a quality, traditional shepards pie, with a healthy dose of the bah bah blacksheep is delish. trust this.

Christo Gonzales said...

5 star: I would love to taste an authentic one in its native setting...

j: I hear you, I had chicken. I would prefer those friends of little bo peep rather than the cock a doodle do - any day.

Chef E said...

I had it, but you find it more in their local pubs, not restaurants they are trying cater to the foodie travelers now...

Basically Shepard's Pie was invented to be a casserole to serve large groups of people at gatherings, and a cheaper way at that with minced meat like lamb...

I have never used a ricer for potatoes, so I would like to try yours...

Hornsfan said...

Looks good to me - I'm usually not a big cassarole fan...yea I know they are good, easy, blah blah blah, guess I like things to be difficult, anyway, the ricer adds a really nice look to the finished topping, might have to try that!

Christo Gonzales said...

e: I love the ricer it is a perfect texture. (I lied, I have actually had this here and there and I DID NOT invent it)

hornsfan: these are individual casseroles 'minis' - maybe I need to put out something for scale.

Harmony said...

I can honestly say..I have never had Shepard's Pie. It looks pretty good and easy...maybe I should give it a try. And? I am loving the ricer...that is neat touch.

Anette said...

I love Shepards Pie! I usually make it with mincemeat of some kind. But the mash on top never looks as pretty as this! Glad you enjoyed the Crackers!

Emily said...

You are verrrrry clever. I like that you topped it with rice! It looks amazing.

Jeanne Estridge said...

That looks delicious! And, it's wheat-free, so I can actually eat it.

When should I drop by?

Christo Gonzales said...

harmony: a potato is no longer a potato when you have a ricer

anette: the crackers are priceless

emily: it is not rice it is potato put through a ricer

jeanne: any ol' time

Anonymous said...

Loving this entry! Made me laugh and the shepherds pie looks delicious!!!

pigpigscorner said...

Looks great with the rice on top! Interesting!I personally would prefer rice to potatoes, so I might try this the enxt time I make one!

buffalodick said...

My first Shepards Pie was when I worked at a rest home(really!) during high school and college. I shouldn't have liked it, but I did! Your topping presentation brought back memories..

Phfrankie Bondo said...

...I especially like the one with the peas and carrots peeking out....

tavolini said...

Good idea to rice the potatoes--bet it made a crispier crust. I've never had shepard's pie either, but I like the image it invokes--toasty warm fire crackling, bowl of hot veg and potatoes. Seems like a fairy tale kind of food.

snugs said...

well I am glad that you fessed up to lying, cuz I was gonna have to out you on that..
chicken shepherds pie is a spring sort of version- are you catching a little spring fever already? My crew loves shepherds pie, but I am more fond of the beef type than the bird

Christo Gonzales said...

nirvana: thanks and thanks...

pigpigscorner: it is potato...potato that looks like rice! from a potato ricer!

buff: there are quite a few irish pubs around town that can turn out a pretty decent shepards pie.

phrankie B: it does make it look more tempting doesnt it?

tavolini: it is a two stage crust that is both crisp and creamy

snugs: I was using my 'creative license' I am allowed to do that...honest!

Spin said...

I love shepard's pie.
Look for an email from me.....

Angel said...

never had it...but dang! that looks good! You're puttin it out there Dog....what about Food Network? any calls?

Kitt said...

Looks good! The ricer is a clever touch. Good way to get even distribution of potatoes on top.

Tanya Kristine said...

yummy...i don't care who claims the invention; me LOVES shepherds pie.

Christo Gonzales said...

spin: recipe coming right up

beth: I am trying, thats for sure- no calls though

kitt: it snows potatoes when you use the ricer...

tanya: so then you accept that I invented it....thats a good thing!

The Blonde Duck said...

I love pies! I don't care what's in them, I'll eat them!

Marjie said...

Don't we all invent all of our recipes? At least to the extent that we change them to suit ourselves? Your mini dishes are pretty.

Christo Gonzales said...

TBD: as I recall you make a pretty mean pot pie....

marjie: that is the truth, and you are inventor bar none with how you have to transform things into mammoth proportions. I just picked up those dishes the other day for 99 cents each....I think I might get a few more before they run out.

pinknest said...

you need a tshirt that says "i invented shepherd's pie."

Chef E said...

I know that silly, I just wanted to spread the 'history' love, and yours is prettier anyway...

Mo Diva said...

that looks YUmmy!

Anonymous said...

Never had an authentic shepard's pie, but we've had the American versions. It has so many awesome things inside, how can it be bad? Although one with sheep would be better. Yours looks delish...especially the riced potatoes.

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