1Setup & Prepare
About This Recipe
British comfort food with spiced nilgai, vegetables, and golden mashed potato crust—family-friendly classic.
Cultural Context
(140 words) Shepherd's pie, the British comfort food of ground meat topped with mashed potatoes and baked, represents hearty fare that has conquered the world. While traditionally made with lamb (shepherd's) or beef (cottage pie), the format adapts to any ground meat. Nilgai creates exceptional shepherd's pie—the lean ground meat cooks in rich gravy with vegetables, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden. This preparation has become popular among hunters seeking familiar, family-friendly preparations for exotic game. Nilgai shepherd's pie demonstrates wild game's accessibility in beloved comfort food. The dish appears at family dinners and hunting lodge meals, proving exotic game can replace traditional meats in classic recipes while delivering superior flavor and nutrition. Golden, bubbling, and satisfying, it bridges wild game and home cooking traditions.
2Ingredients
Shopping List
3Cooking Instructions
- Boil potatoes in salted water until very tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and mash with butter, cream, salt, and white pepper until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat oil in large, deep oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 8 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add ground nilgai and cook, breaking up with spoon, until browned, about 8 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and flour. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add wine and cook for 3 minutes until mostly evaporated.
- Add beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. Simmer for 20 minutes until thickened.
- Remove bay leaves. Stir in frozen peas. Season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread meat mixture in greased 9x13-inch baking dish (or keep in oven-safe skillet).
- Spread mashed potatoes evenly over meat, creating peaks with fork. Sprinkle with cheese if using.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until potatoes are golden and filling is bubbling. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
4Chef's Notes & Pairings
Chef's Notes
- Don't skip browning vegetables and meat—it develops essential flavor.
- The filling should be thick, not soupy—cook until proper consistency.
- Creating peaks in mashed potatoes allows more surface area to brown.
- Cheese on top is not traditional but adds delicious golden crust.
- This dish reheats beautifully for leftovers.
Wine Pairing
English Bitter or Merlot – British ale is traditional, or try smooth Merlot for wine pairing.
Nutrition Facts
(per serving) Calories: 565 | Protein: 42g | Fat: 26g | Carbohydrates: 42g | Iron: 6.2mg
