Shepherd's Pie A True Comfort Food
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At the risk of sounding like a food nerd, the history of certain foods is fairly interesting to delve into if you have a few spare minutes. Such is the case with one of the comfort foods served at Chef Point Café. We are speaking, of course, about Shepherd’s Pie.
The Shepherd’s Pie served by Chef Franson is a lovely dish of minced meat, sauce and vegetables topped off by mashed potatoes and that is actually the traditional way of making it in the United States. But the origins of Shepherd’s Pie actually date back to England in the Middle Ages, probably around the year 1000 A.D. when meat pies were quite the rage and an easy and tasty way to use up leftovers.
The term “Shepherd’s Pie” was first used in England in 1791 about the time that potatoes came in favor with the British, but the term actually referred to a similar dish made with lamb….hence the reference to shepherds. When the same dish is made with meat it is commonly called “Cottage Pie.” The reference to “cottage” by the way has to do with the fact that normally this was a dish made by poor servants and peasants, something they could make up using table scraps but still provide a filling and delicious meal when spices were added.
Whatever you want to call it, Shepherd’s Pie when prepared b y our own Peoples’ Chef is a taste treat of the highest order and deserves to be called a comfort food. This is just like grandma used to make (well, grandma wasn’t as good as Chef Franson but you get the point) and reminds one of a Sunday afternoon with great aromas coming from the kitchen while you watch a football game on television. In fact, we aren’t quite sure what spices are used by Chef Franson to attain that wonderful taste and aroma but we know for a fact that the aroma of our Shepherd’s Pie fills out family restaurant at times and it is a heavenly aroma for sure.
So there is all you ever wanted or needed to know about the history of Shepherd’s Pie. Interesting? Maybe, but combine the history with actually eating our Shepherd’s Pie and you have a great experience. Stop by our fine dining establishment and try the Shepherd’s Pie for yourself; one taste and you will understand why we are consistently voted the best family restaurant in Fort Worth.
