Ultimate Comfort Food: A Hearty, Authentic Shepherd’s Pie & The Best Spicy Pumpkin Pancakes
- Eliane Muskus
- Sep 28
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 7
Get ready to embrace the cozy season! From a rich, savoury lamb pie to the fluffiest autumn pancakes with a dreamy salted caramel sauce, these are the recipes you need right now.
Hey everyone!
Is there anything better than that feeling when you just know a cozy day of cooking is ahead of you? When the weather gets a bit cooler, all I want is food that feels like a big, warm hug. Today, I've got two absolute showstoppers for you that tick every single box.
First up, we're talking about a real, authentic Shepherd's Pie. That means we're using rich, flavourful lamb mince, topped with the creamiest, fluffiest mashed potatoes imaginable. It’s the kind of dish that fills the whole house with an incredible aroma. Then, for those lazy weekend mornings or when you just need a sweet treat, I’m sharing my recipe for Spicy Pumpkin Pancakes. These aren't just any pancakes; they're light, fluffy, packed with warm spices, and drizzled with a homemade salted caramel sauce that is dangerously good.
Trust me, you're going to want to make both of these. Let's get cooking!
Authentic Shepherd's Pie
Forget any version you've had with beef (that’s a cottage pie, a lovely dish for another day!). The secret to a truly memorable Shepherd’s Pie is tender lamb mince, slow-simmered in a rich gravy with a hint of rosemary and thyme. This is the real deal.
Serves: 4-6
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 50-60 minutes
What You'll Need:
For the Filling:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 medium carrots, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
500g (about 1.1 lbs) lamb mince
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp plain flour
2 tbsp tomato purée
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
500ml (2 cups) beef or lamb stock
1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tsp fresh thyme, leaves picked
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the Mash Topping:
1kg (about 2.2 lbs) potatoes (Maris Piper or King Edward are great), peeled and chopped
80g (⅓ cup) unsalted butter
100ml (a generous ⅓ cup) milk, warmed
50g (½ cup) strong cheddar cheese, grated (optional, but so good!)
Pinch of salt
How to Make It:
✔️ Sauté the Veg: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until they're soft and sweet.
✔️ Brown the Lamb: Turn the heat up. Add the lamb mince to the pan and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until it’s beautifully browned all over. Don't rush this step – the browning adds tons of flavour! Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute.
✔️ Create the Gravy: Sprinkle the flour over the mince and stir it in well. Cook for a minute, then stir in the tomato purée and Worcestershire sauce. Gradually pour in the stock, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
✔️ Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Add the rosemary and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and let it simmer away for at least 30 minutes. This lets all those gorgeous flavours meld together.
✔️ Make the Mash: While the filling simmers, boil the potatoes in salted water until they're completely tender. Drain them really well and let them steam dry in the colander for a couple of minutes. Mash them until smooth, then beat in the butter and warm milk until you have a creamy, dreamy mash. Season with salt.
✔️ Assemble and Bake: Preheat your oven to 200°C / 400°F (or 180°C for a fan oven). Spoon the lamb filling into a 2-litre ovenproof dish. Top it with the mashed potato, spreading it evenly. For those lovely crispy bits, run a fork over the surface of the mash and sprinkle with the grated cheddar, if using.
✔️ Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the mash is golden brown and the filling is bubbling up at the sides.
✔️ Rest: Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Spicy Pumpkin Pancakes
As the leaves turn and the air gets crisp, it’s time to whip up something special for breakfast. These Spicy Pumpkin Pancakes are not only delicious but also a delightful way to welcome autumn.
Why Pumpkin?
Pumpkin is not just for Halloween! It’s packed with nutrients and adds a lovely flavour to your dishes. These pancakes are fluffy, warm, and infused with spices that make them perfect for a cozy morning at home.
What You'll Need:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup milk
1 large egg
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp melted butter
How to Make Them:
✔️ Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
✔️ Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, milk, egg, maple syrup, and melted butter until well combined.
✔️ Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
✔️ Cook the Pancakes: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown.
✔️ Serve: Serve warm with a drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce.
Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce
To elevate your pancakes, try this simple salted caramel sauce.
Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp sea salt
Instructions:
✔️ Make the Caramel: In a medium saucepan, heat the sugar over medium heat. Stir constantly until it melts and turns a golden amber colour.
✔️ Add Butter: Carefully add the butter and stir until melted.
✔️ Add Cream: Slowly pour in the cream while stirring. The mixture will bubble up, so be cautious.
✔️ Finish: Remove from heat and stir in the sea salt. Let it cool before serving.
Enjoy Your Cozy Day
Now that you have these two delightful recipes, you’re all set for a cozy day in. Whether you choose the hearty Shepherd's Pie or the fluffy Spicy Pumpkin Pancakes, you can’t go wrong.
Let the aromas fill your home and enjoy the warmth of good food!
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