Shepherds pie/cottage pie

Posted by James Briggs on October 11, 2003

In Reply to: Shepherds pie/cottage pie posted by TheFallen on October 11, 2003

: : Why is a Shepherd's pie called a Shepherd's pie. And as far as I can tell, a Cottage pie is the same thing. So why the different names - it is a dialectic thing? Or am I wrong and these pies are actually different?

: : Yes I know this is a very deep, meaningful and heavy question for this time of the morning.

: Food for thought. My understanding (backed up by the product marketing department at M&S, a classy British supermarket) is that Shepherd's Pie contains lamb mince, whereas Cottage Pie contains beef mince.

Absolutely correct! Lamb goes with sheppherd, but why beef goes with cottage I don't know. Both, however, can be delicious if made correctly. M&S make a good attempt.