Recipe(tried): Irish Rover's Unicorn Pub Shepherd's Pie for Tammy, TN

Hi Tammy:-) This is a wonderful recipe for Shepherd's Pie. I have made it several times and have never been disappointed in it. I usually halve the recipe and make it in a 9 X 9 X 2-inch casserole dish. I use 2 - 2 1/2 lbs of potatoes for the mashed potatoes to top it. While the recipe will make a 9 X 13 X 2-inch casserole, if you want plenty of mashed potatoes for the top, you might want to consider using 4 lbs. of potatoes to make the mashed potato topping or perhaps use a slightly smaller casserole dish than a 9 X 13 X 2-inch one and use the amount of potatoes stated in the recipe. Don't omit the nutmeg. It gives this pie that little something that makes it special - that "je ne sais quoi". If you care to look for other recipes for Shepherd's Pie, there are several others posted on this site. Just type "Shepherd's Pie" in the "Find" box.

Irish Rover's Unicorn Pub Shepherd's Pie
Source: Calgary Sun, Monday, October 15, 1990
Yield: 6 Servings

The Irish Rovers, of "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "The Unicorn" fame, own a very successful "Old Country Pub" in Calgary, Alberta. Their Shepherd's Pie is justly famous. Vincent Lee, kitchen manager at the Unicorn says the recipe came directly from Ireland via the Irish Rovers more than 10 years ago.

2 lb lean ground beef
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 1/2 cup corn, fresh or frozen
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1/2 tsp nutmeg
8 oz beef broth
2 tbsp butter; mixed with
2 tbsp flour
2 lb potatoes; cooked and mashed
butter

Cook ground beef in frying pan until brown.

Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Lower heat and cook for 10 minutes or until vegetables are wilted.

Add beef broth; bring to a boil. Stir in enough of the butter/flour roux to make a thick gravy to bind the filling. Pour into large shallow baking pan and cool. The filling should be about 1 1/2 inches deep.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Cover the meat mixture in the pan with the corn and then top with the hot mashed potatoes. Smooth potatoes evenly, brush surface with butter.

Bake at 325 F for 35-40 minutes.