Main courses
Irish Colcannon Shepherd’s Pie
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds (700g) ground lamb
- 5 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 cups chopped onion, divided
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beer (such as Irish stout)
- 1 cup chicken or beef broth
- 1 cup frozen peas
- salt and pepper
- 2 pounds (900g) red potatoes, cut into chunks
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons plus 2 tablespoons (divided) Kerrygold Pure Irish Salted Butter
- 10 ounces (290g) finely shredded cabbage (about 6 cups)
- 4 ounces (120g) shredded Kerrygold Dubliner
Directions
This Irish Colcannon Shepherd’s Pie is a mash up of two Irish favorites – Colcannon and Shepherd’s Pie. Every St. Patrick’s Day celebration needs this hearty comfort food on the menu.
- Preheat oven to 190 degrees.
- 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 skillet and place over medium heat. Add carrots and 2 cups 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.
- Add 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 9 x 13-inch (20x30cm) pan.
- 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.
- While potatoes are cooking, melt 6 tablespoons butter in a large skillet. Add remaining 1 cup onion; cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very soft. Add cabbage; cook and stir for 5 minutes more or until very soft.
- Stir cabbage mixture and Dubliner cheese into hot potatoes and season with pepper. Spread Colcannon on top of lamb mixture in casserole dish.
- 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.
