Shell Cottage Shepherd’s Pie: A Harry Potter Inspired Recipe
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What’s Up, Hungry People
It’s Harry Potter week here in the Starving Chef’s kitchen! We’ve traveled from The Burrow to the halls of Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and beyond. Today we take a break from the hustle and bustle of the London-based wizarding world for a far more quaint and quiet destination.
Shell Cottage plays an important role in the Harry Potter universe. It’s the home of Fleur and Bill – and the burial place of another beloved character.
It’s at Shell Cottage where Ron went for a long while after abruptly leaving Harry and Hermione on their search for Horcruxes. Fleur, while perhaps not well liked by Molly Weasley during their initial meeting, likely formed a close bond after the war ended and would bond over cooking for their families.
Pâté chinois is the French version of cottage pie or shepherd’s pie – both of which are popular English dishes served regularly at Hogwarts.
Whether Fleur’s pâté chinois was influenced by her stay at Hogwarts during the Triwizard Tournament or she just intuitively knew that one of Harry’s favorite foods was shepherd’s pie, it’s certainly a non-magical way to soothe the soul.
One thing is for sure, the meal shared amongst friends at Shell Cottage before parting ways during times of trial and tribulations brought everyone together one last time before the Battle for Hogwarts.
What is Pâté Chinois?
Pâté chinois is a French-Canadian dish similar to shepherd’s pie, traditionally made with layers of ground meat, corn, and mashed potatoes. It reflects the blend of cultures and comfort food that is accessible and loved by many.
In the context of Harry Potter, Fleur Delacour, who is a French witch, marries Bill Weasley and brings her own cultural influences into the Weasley family. Serving a dish like pâté chinois at Shell Cottage would be a natural choice for Fleur, blending her French heritage with her new English family. This dish symbolizes the union of different cultures and the warmth of family meals, fitting perfectly with the cozy, welcoming atmosphere of Shell Cottage.
Here’s What You Need
- Ground beef, lamb, or veal – Provides the savory base for the pie.
- Onion – Adds sweetness and depth.
- Tomato – Contributes acidity and juiciness.
- Green bell pepper – Brings a fresh, mild bitterness.
- Carrots – Adds natural sweetness and texture.
- Garlic – Infuses aromatic, pungent flavor.
- Celery – Adds a crunchy texture and mild bitterness.
- Thyme – Introduces an earthy, herbal note.
- Fresh parsley – Adds a bright, fresh finish.
- Tomato paste – Concentrated tomato flavor for richness.
- Flour – Thickens the sauce.
- Beef broth – Provides a rich, savory liquid.
- Sherry – Adds depth and complexity.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds a tangy, umami flavor.
- Paprika – Adds a mild, smoky heat.
- Chicken base – Boosts the savory flavor.
- Balsamic vinegar – Adds sweetness and tanginess.
- Garlic mashed potatoes – Creamy topping for the pie.
- Butter – Adds richness to the potatoes.
- Salt & pepper – Essential seasonings to taste.
Let’s Cook
Brown the meat in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once browned and crumbled, remove the meat from the pot and drain in a colander. Rinse with cold water.
Sauté the Vegetables
Without washing the skillet, add the onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes until it starts to soften. Then add the peppers, celery, carrots, and garlic. Sauté for another 5 minutes until the carrots are tender.
Add Tomatoes and Flour
Stir in the tomatoes and sauté until they start to lose their moisture. Scatter the flour over the vegetables and stir until coated. Stir in the tomato paste until a thick, sticky mass of vegetables forms. Deglaze the pan with sherry, scraping up the brown bits.
Combine and Simmer
Pour in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, chicken base, and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the meat back to the pot and stir it all together. Simmer for 20-30 minutes until most of the liquid evaporates.
Assemble and Bake
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spoon the meat mixture into a baking dish or individual ramekins. Dollop the mashed potatoes on top and use the back of the spoon to spread them into an even layer. If you want, you can use a knife or fork to create small designs on the surface.
Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Then broil on high for 5-10 additional minutes until the top is browned and crisp. If serving in individual ramekins, let them cool until they can be handled. If serving from a larger dish, let it set for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Tips for Perfect Shepherd’s Pie
- Browning the Meat: Make sure to brown the meat well for a deeper, richer flavor.
- Deglazing: Don’t skip deglazing the pan with sherry; it adds essential depth to the dish.
- Thickening the Sauce: Scatter flour evenly over the vegetables to avoid lumps in the sauce.
- Pre-made Mashed Potatoes: Use high-quality pre-made mashed potatoes to save time without compromising taste.
- Broiling: Keep a close eye on the pie while broiling to avoid burning the top.
This shell cottage shepherd’s pie is a great way to bring a bit of harry potter magic into your kitchen. It’s the kind of meal that warms you up from the inside out. Whether you’re a fan of the wizarding world or just looking for a delicious dinner, this shepherd’s pie is sure to become a favorite. Best tuck in, Hungry Muggles!
Shell Cottage Shepherd’s Pie | Harry Potter Inspired Recipes
Ingredients
- 16 oz ground beef, lamb or veal
- ½ cup onion chopped
- ½ cup tomato chopped
- ½ cup green bell pepper chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 2 tablespoons garlic minced
- 2 ribs celery chopped
- 1 tablespoon thyme + more for topping
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 6 oz tomato paste
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- ½ cup sherry
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chicken base
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 package garlic mashed potatoes pre-made or homemade
- 2 tablespoons butter
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the meat in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once browned and crumbled, remove the meat from the pot and drain in a colander. Rinse with cold water.
- Without washing the skillet, add the onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes or until it has started to soften. Then add the peppers, celery, carrots, and garlic. Sauté for another 5 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
- Stir in the tomatoes and sauté until they've started to lose their moisture. Scatter the flour over the vegetables and stir until the vegetables are coated in flour. Stir in the tomato paste until a thick, sticky mass of vegetables forms. Deglaze the pan with the cooking sherry and scrape up the brown bits.
- Pour in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, chicken base, and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the meat back to the pot and stir it all together. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spoon the meat mixture into the baking dish or individual ramekins. Dollop the mashed potatoes on top of the meat and use the back of the spoon to spread the potatoes into an even layer. If you want, you can also use a knife or fork to cut small designs into the potato's surface!
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes and then broil on high for 5-10 additional minutes, or until the top is sufficiently browned and crisp. If serving in individual ramekins, let cool until ramekins can be handled. If serving from a larger dish, let set for 5-10 minutes prior to serving. Enjoy!
