Irish Colcannon Shepherd’s Pie

This Irish Colcannon Shepherd’s Pie is a mash up of two Irish favourites – Colcannon and Shepherd’s Pie, hearty comfort food on the menu.

1. Preheat oven to 190C
2. Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add lamb and cook until no longer pink. Reserve 1 tablespoon rendered fat and drain meat. Add reserved fat back to the pan and place over medium heat. Add carrots and ⅔ of your chopped onions, stirring occasionally, until vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook for a minute. Stir in flour and cook for another minute. 
3. Add the lamb back to pan along with Worcestershire, beer and chicken broth. Bring to a low boil and cook until liquid is reduced to a thick gravy, about 15-20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in peas.  Spread meat mixture into a casserole dish.
4. Cook potatoes in boiling water about 20 minutes or until very tender; drain well and mash with skins on, adding milk and 3/4 teaspoon salt.
5. While potatoes are cooking, melt 6 tablespoons butter in a large skillet. Add remaining onion; cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very soft. Add cabbage; cook and stir for 5 minutes more or until very soft.
6. Stir cabbage mixture and cheese into hot potatoes and season with pepper. Spread Colcannon on top of lamb mixture in a casserole dish.
7. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and brush evenly over Colcannon. Place casserole dish on a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes or until edges bubble and potatoes start to brown. Allow to stand 10 minutes before eating.