This mildly spiced Shepherd's pie is packed with punchy and delicious flavours.
Prep Time30mins
Cook Time1hr5mins
Course: Brunch, Dinner
Cuisine: British
Keyword: Culinary Nirvana, Gayatri Singh, Shepherd's pie, Spiced Shepherd's Pie
Servings: 4
Author: Gayatri Singh
Ingredients
For the pie:
450gminced chickenused thighs and legs only
1mediumonionfinely chopped
1cup spring onion/ green onionfinely sliced
4cloves garliccrushed
1/4cupcoriander stalks and leavesfinely chopped
1tspharissa paste or red chilli paste(optional)
1/2tsp or to taste crushed black pepper
1/2tspor to taste cayenne or hot chilli powder
1/2tspcardamom powder
1/4tspeach cinnamon powder and nutmeg powder
1/2tspsaffron mixed in 1 tsp milk
1tsp or to taste salt
1tbsp rice flour
1tbspolive oil
For mashed potatoes
400gor 3 medium potaotes Maris Piper or King Edward or Russet
1/2cup sour cream
1/3cup heavy creamslightly warm
4 tbsp unsalted buttermelted
1tsp or to taste salt
1/4tspeach white pepper and nutmeg powder
1/4cup cheddar or gouda cheesefinely grated for later
Water to boil
Instructions
Mashed Potatoes:
Boil the potatoes in salted water till they are cooked and soft. Drain the potatoes and grate them or rice them with potato ricer.
Whilst the potatoes are still hot, add in the melted butter followed by sour cream and warm heavy cream. Whisk it well with a wooden spoon.
Add in the salt, white pepper powder, nutmeg powder and whisk it well until combined.
Keep it aside in the warm place.
For the chicken:
Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pan, once smoking add in the onion, garlic and coriander stalks. Saute for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
Add in the coriander leaves, spring onion and stir it in. Tip in the harissa paste and fry for another 5 minutes. Add all the spice powders, mix it well.
Tip in the minced chicken and using a spoon, break it up. Fry it till the mince becomes brown in colour.
Add in the rice powder and mix it well and turn the gas off.
For baking:
Preheat the oven to 200C/400F.
Lightly oil an oven dish, tip the chicken mince mixture in it. Spread it evenly. Using ice cream scoop add big dollops of the mashed potatoes over the mince. Smooth the top out.
Sprinkle the cheese on the top and bake it in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
Put in under the grill or broiler for a few minutes if the top is in browned well.
Let it sit for a few minutes (5-7 minutes) and then serve.