So, when you hear of Shepherd's Pie, the image that conjures in your mind will probably be of a savoury meat-based pie and you would indeed be correct. This humble pie of English origin is a ground meat pie with a crust or topping of mashed potato. But then, you may wonder, are “Shepherd’s Pie” and “Cottage Pie” the same thing? The two terms tend to be thrown about loosely but from a historical perspective, there is a difference. 

If you assumed that Shepherd's Pie may have had something to do with Shepherds, then you are not mistaken! Traditionally, Shepherd’s Pies have been made with sheep or lamb meat. It was a resourceful way the wives of the shepherds would reuse leftovers from the previous night's dinner. Earlier recipes for Shepherd’s Pies included unexpected ingredients such as raisins, nutmeg, oranges, currants, and even artichokes. Aside from the lamb which serves as the main protein, Shepherd’s Pies also usually come topped with creamy mashed potatoes. But the mashed potatoes aren't just an afterthought. They can actually determine how good the pie is! Apart from being moist and flavourful, the creamy mashed potato layer ought to stay integrated with the rest of the pie in every bite. 

Unlike a Shepherd's Pie that is made from lamb meat, Cottage Pies contain beef as the main protein. They date further back and it is believed that the term Cottage Pie has been in use since the 1700s. Traditional Cottage Pies did not use potatoes, they instead used other kinds of pastry as toppings, similar to fruit pies. The pastry would line the bottom of the dish and over the meat filling. Cottage Pies were also commonly referred to as mince pies as the meat used were often minced.

Much like its close cousin, Cottage Pies were the invention of housewives to repurpose leftovers. Having originated from a poorer section of England, it was an ingenious way of making sure no meat would be wasted. It served as a meal plan that helped families stretch out their food while still having a hot meal to tuck into.

The global food scene has been constantly evolving. Soon, rustic mashed potatoes started getting replaced by fancier sliced potatoes layered over the meat. Sometimes the sliced potatoes would line the bottom of the dish and as time passed by, the sliced potatoes made an appearance on the top as well as bottom. With all the variations, the lines started getting blurred between Shepherd's and Cottage Pies.

Today, people use both terms interchangeably. The term Shepherd's Pie can now be used to refer to any meat pies – beef, lamb, chicken, etc. To meet the widening dietary requirements, there are even vegetarian versions of the Shepherd's Pie. And much to my astonishment, I even came across a Vegan Shepherd's Pie! Many of such recipes are amazing and have successfully managed to switch out the protein with plant-based goodness while still retaining the yumminess quotient of the pies! 

Shepherd's pie and Cottage pies are a good source of carbohydrates and protein. They are a well-loved symbol of comfort food especially in the West. Easy to put together, wholesome and satisfying, these pies have become a staple for family dinners in many parts of the world. 

In Singapore, the increasing trend of featuring Shepherd's Pie in restaurant menus reflect the growing global popularity of this dish. 

Shepherd's Pie Singapore