
From the kitchen
Camel Milk Shepherd's Pie
A ground lamb filling topped with camel milk mashed potatoes for a classic comfort bake.
By Aunesty Janssen · The Complete Camel Milk Guide & Cookbook: A Definitive Guide to History, Science, Sourcing & 150 Original Recipes
Ingredients
- 2 lb russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1/2 cup pasteurized camel milk, warm
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup low-sodium beef stock
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp fine salt, divided, plus salt for potato water
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Method
- Heat oven to 400°F. Cover potatoes with cold salted water, bring to a boil and simmer 15 to 20 minutes until tender.
- Drain thoroughly, return to the hot pan for 1 minute and mash with warm milk and butter. Season with half the salt and pepper.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown lamb, onion and carrots 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up lumps. Drain excess fat. Ground lamb must reach 160°F.
- Stir in flour for 1 minute, then stock, tomato paste and rosemary. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes until the filling is thick, with tender carrots.
- Spread in a 2-quart baking dish. Spoon mash over it, seal to the edges and roughen with a fork.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes until bubbling and the center reaches 165°F. Broil briefly for color if desired, watching closely. Rest 10 minutes.
Cook with confidence
Before you start
Before you start
Shepherd’s pie uses lamb; the beef version is cottage pie. Reduce the filling until it holds together before topping, so gravy does not flood the mash.
Serving and keeping
Refrigerate within 2 hours for up to 4 days. Reheat covered to 165°F, then uncover briefly to restore the top.
Reduce the Lamb Filling
Brown 1 pound ground lamb with onion and carrots, then simmer with 1 cup stock, tomato paste, and rosemary for 10 minutes. The filling should be moist but not soupy before potatoes go on.
Brown Only After Heating Through
Rough the potato topping with a fork, then bake as written until the filling is bubbling and its center reaches 165°F. A brief watched broil can deepen the ridges afterward. Broiling alone cannot reliably reheat a chilled casserole through its full depth.
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