Shepherd’s Lamb Pie Dog Recipe

Preparation:

1. Place the lamb in a cold skillet, place over medium heat, and brown the meat, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Drain off the fat and reserve the lamb.
2. Put potatoes in a large steamer basket and steam over boiling water for 20 minutes, until tender. After the potatoes have cooked for 10 minutes, add green beans, keeping them separate from potatoes. When both vegetables are tender, put the basket under cold running water long enough for vegetables to stop cooking. Reserve the potatoes and green beans in separate bowls.
3. Preheat oven to 350° F. and butter a 5 quart deep baking dish.
4. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat in a small skillet; add onion and sauté until translucent. Add peas, corn, bell pepper, cooked green beans, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook mixture 10 minutes over low heat, stir frequently. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the lamb, mix it thoroughly into vegetables. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish.
5. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan; add cream and parsley and mix well. Pour the mixture over potatoes and combine. Spread potatoes and their sauce over meat-vegetable mixture, dot the top with remaining butter and sprinkle with paprika. Bake the pie for 30 minutes, or until top is golden brown. You can make 4 quarts of lamb pie with this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground lamb
• 8 medium all-purpose potatoes, peeled or unpeeled, sliced
• 2 cups green beans cut into 1-inch pieces
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 cups shelled fresh or frozen peas
• 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Paprika

Note:
By the late nineteenth century, with wolves no longer being a threat to the European flocks and with the railroads being used to transport sheep, the old World Shepherd was out of work, with few prospects. But German breeders believed that this beautiful and intelligent dog had potential for police work, and they began a vigorous breeding program that resulted in the German shepherd we know today. American soldiers returning from World War I brought German shepherds to the United States, where they were an immediate success. Since that time, the German shepherd has distinguished itself as a superb guard dog, police tracker, rescue dog, guide dog for the blind, and wartime hero.