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Wald0_17 t1_j48zh6w wrote

I grew up hating "shepherd's pie" (notwithstanding the shepherd's/ cottage debate). I now realize that canned corn, unseasoned ground beef, and instant mashed potatoes isn't shepherd's pie, it's shit. I will fight and die on this hill.

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turd_sculptor t1_j498f61 wrote

You should challenge yourself to make a shepherds pie that you'd be proud to serve. It can be wonderful comfort food and even if you use fresh ingredients it's not that expensive.

We like to add gravy and mushrooms to the beef in ours.

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Wald0_17 t1_j499ao9 wrote

I'm pleased to report that I've done just that. Tomato paste, Thyme, carrots, onions, beef (or lamb, but the Mrs. doesn't like it), a few other things. It's actually one of my favorite things to make now. But no corn, that's non-negotiable for me.

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ebai4556 t1_j4brd3z wrote

Tomato paste?!

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Wald0_17 t1_j4btghx wrote

Yes! It adds some flavor without being overbearing, helps to thicken, and brings a little color. That being said, I imagine a beef bullion would also work, but might be a little overbearing.

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marrymejojo OP t1_j492bcz wrote

Yeah I agree. When made you the way it's described it's not great. I'll still eat it with loads of ketchup though.

I agree the way you describe the ingredients sounds shit. But one can always use better versions of those ingredients and it will be better. Albeit still just shepherds pie!

I'm not arguing the dish is good although I like it :)

Just that the beef/lamb debate is dumb.

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gordielaboom t1_j49pd54 wrote

Just said this same thing further up. Hated it growing up. So I make it my own way now, and my kids lick the plate clean. No thanks to creamed corn.

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200Dachshunds t1_j4avht3 wrote

Agree! For the longest time I thought that’s what shepherds pie was, bless my mother but her recipe was terrible for this (though at least she did make homemade mashed for it) many years later Alton Browns shepherds pie recipe converted me and now I’m a fan.

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k_mainer t1_j4alj0d wrote

I worked with a woman shared this: pan fried bologna on a plate, scoop of mashed potato, ladle of creamed corn over the top. Variation on a shit theme. She said it was a school lunch item when she was growing up (she’s late 30s, early 40s) that she now considers comfort food. We all have our dark secrets.

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Wald0_17 t1_j4aqqf2 wrote

Well, I'm about her age, and I never saw a war crime like that on the school lunch menu...I didn't even see anything like that in the army. Our childhoods shape us in mysterious ways.

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spaztikmoose t1_j4bip02 wrote

We’ll stand together and fight!

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Wald0_17 t1_j4bunmy wrote

I was kind of expecting to get downvoted for playing the culinary gadfly, since I know how some people can get when it comes to traditional methods of preparing a dish (I've had this discussion several times at work and it seems I'm in the minority here). The support is a refreshing surprise.

It should be said, in my mother's defense, that she is not otherwise a bad cook. It's just her shepherd's pie and beef stew that I take exception to.

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