Several weeks ago, while visiting my husband’s parents in Germany, we decided to take a flight to Ireland and spend a week driving around. We had no plans and no reservations. Just a travel guidebook and a hope that we could find Wi-Fi.
We landed in Kerry and immediately rented a car. If you ever want to experience white-knuckle driving… rent a car in Ireland. Excuse me while I pause to give my husband some serious props. During our trip he drove 1500km, on the left-hand side, with a manual transmission vehicle, driving down two-lane roads that were about the width of a bicycle path, and… without having to implement our car insurance policy at the end of the trip.
Back to the trip.
Our first stop was in Dingle – a small fishing town on a peninsula in the southwest. This spot ended up being one of our favorites. The area is surrounded by stunning cliffs and impressive archeological sites. After an afternoon of driving around and exploring, we popped into Murphy’s Pub for a pint. Turns out, they’re a B&B too! The rooms were modest, but clean and quite. The breakfast was delicious and the people were awesome! One of the guys behind the bar was even kind enough to suggested that we check out some traditional Irish music at another pub down the road.
After leaving Dingle, we headed further south to the Ring of Kerry. Even on a cold-grey day you could see how exceptionally beautiful the area was – my husband and I joked that it was, ’50 shades of green’.
We drove on, stopping in Killarney and Waterford. We visited Avoca Handweavers – the oldest working woollen mill in Ireland and one of the oldest manufacturing companies in the world. I bought more wool blankets than I know what to do with – but they’re so gorgeous and totally worth it!
We took a cooking class in Dublin and made a shallot tarte tatin, a fantastic bouillabaisse, and a creme brulee. We met some really great people and even went out with two couples for pints afterward. We saw a hurling game in Kilkenny and sang, Don McLean’s “American Pie” along with the rest of the patrons at a pub later that night. We had a great time!
Stopping for lunch at a pub in the small village of Crookstown, my husband and I ordered a Shepherd’s Pie to share. We took a seat next to a coal-burning fireplace while a few locals sat at the bar with their pints, chatting. Their accents were so strong, the only word we could make out was the f-bomb, which honestly was every other word. If I may, I will illustrate an example with a description of our meal:
When our f*cking Shepherd’s Pie came out, there was a side of f*cking boiled carrots and f*cking boiled cabbage. No f*cking seasoning, not even a f*cking pinch of salt. Then came the basket of f*cking potatoes. Four f*cking potatoes, skin on, boiled, in a f*cking basket – and that’s all she f*cking wrote.
You get the point, I’m sure.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. This pub was fantastic! Sure the boiled vegetables and the basket of potatoes could have used some work, but the Shepherd’s Pie was fantastic, and the ambiance… the ambiance was f*cking great!
Throughout our trip, I ordered Shepherd’s Pie at several other pubs. Generally it’s made with lamb or mutton, but I found a number of places using beef – either one is delicious.
Potatoes are a traditional topping, but I knew a parsnip puree would be particularly nice with this dish. It’s sweetness pairs well with beef, chicken, fish, and even game. When the puree is combined with the Guinness Shepherd’s Pie filling, the complex layers of savory/sweet yield complete deliciousness!
- 2 pounds parsnips, peeled and sliced into ½ inch rounds
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup half and half
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- pinch of nutmeg
- 2 pounds ground lamb or beef
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 3 shallots, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 14.5 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 12 ounces Guinness
- ½ cup good quality chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, roughly chopped
- chopped parsley, garnish
- Place the parsnips in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes, or until fork tender. Drain the water and then place the parsnips in the bowl of a food processor. Add the butter, half and half, 1 teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and the nutmeg. Puree until smooth. Cover and set aside while you prepare the meat filling.
- In a large saute pan over high heat, cook the ground lamb or beef until browned and no pink remains. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the meat to a colander and allow to drain.
- In the same saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, shallots, and garlic. Stirring frequently, allow to cook until softened, about 5 - 6 minutes.
- Add the canned tomatoes along with the juice. Break up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and the meat to the pan. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes. Then add the Guinness and bring the contents to a boil. Bring the heat down to a simmer and allow to reduce to half, about 10 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock, the thyme, and rosemary. Reduce until thickened and nearly all liquid has cooked off, about 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat the broiler to high. Fill a medium casserole dish with the meat filling. Then top with the parsnip puree, making sure to evenly distribute and spread all the way to the edges. Place on the center rack of the oven and broil for 6 -8 minutes, or until the top of the puree is golden-brown.
- Top the casserole with chopped parsley and serve. Enjoy!
Oh, Kathleen, I laughed my head off at your story about the locals in the f*cking pub!
I can’t think of anything lovelier than sitting in a traditional pub with the locals eating Shepherd’s pie. I must say though I like your version better – such a wonderful idea to mash in parsnip and add Guinness!
I will think of you when I’m eating my steak and gravy pie at a cute little pub near my home here in England tonight!
Lol! Yeah, my husband and I had a good laugh about too. We spent the rest of the day dropping the f-bomb and being totally entertained by it 😉
Steak and gravy pie sound awesome! Wish I had a cute little pub nearby 🙂
Thank you for sharing your adventure with us! Love the story. Love the photographs. Love this recipe. I grew eating shepherd’s pie that included only beef, corn and mashed potatoes. I loved it – still do…but your recipe takes it to a whole new level! De-Lish!
Thanks, Annie! We had such a great time 🙂 You classic Shepherd’s Pie sounds delicious – such wonderful comfort food.
I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland!!! love all the photos! and yes, I’ve heard driving there is crazy! I f*cking LOVE this Shepherd’s Pie!!!! 😛
SO crazy! 😉
Glad you like my Shepherd’s Pie recipe – it’s f-ing amazing! 😉
So glad you guys had fun in Ireland, (at least sounds that way)! Love Europe and it is great that you are sharing some pictures Kathleen!! And this Guiness shepherd’s pie sounds and looks fantastic! Parsnip puree – yummy!!! Pinned!
We had so much fun – we always have such a great time when visit Europe! I’m so glad you like the recipe, and thanks for sharing 🙂
What a great adventure – gorgeous photos too! And this pie looks pretty amazing too..
Thanks Marissa! We had such an amazing time!
OMG! What a way to travel – no reservations?? You are so much braver than me – and obviously will live a much more exciting life than control freak me!! 🙂
I love this! How did I never think of doing a Guiness Pie Shepherds Pie mash up! 🙂
I don’t know about braver. There are certainly positives and negative to both 😉 So glad you like this dish, Nagi. Im sure your mash-up would be incredible as well!
Growing up in England I cannot believe I never went to Ireland, it is so beautiful. I use Guinness in my shepherd’s pie too, great dish and great story.
Ireland is truly an amazing place! I think Guinness is such a natural pairing with Shepherd’s Pie – it really adds a nice flavor.
Oh Kathleen! I am turning green with envy 😉 Ireland sounds so fantastic and I am dying to go. You did all the things I would have wanted to do and then some. And I love that it inspired this dish. The flavors sound fantastic- especially with the sweet/spicy parsnips.
I hope you get to go, Allie! We had such a blast. I’m so glad you like the flavors in this dish – I don’t think it would have been the same if I hadn’t enjoyed so many Shepherd’s Pie while I was there!
Oh my gosh! I am so jealous that you were able to go to Ireland. My sister went about ten years ago, but I was too young to join her. Your photographs convinced me that I have to save up some money and go to Ireland. I love the old stone buildings and the animal pictures! This Guinness Shepherds Pie is the perfect St. Patty’s Day meal. I do not eat beef, but I’m sure the meat could be substituted for chicken or turkey (not as traditional, but still tasty).
Oh I hope you go! We had such a wonderful time! It was so funny to see a 14th or 15th century stone structure in someone’s backyard – and I mean literally in their backyard! And everyone was just so friendly!
I’m sure chicken or turkey would be a fine substitute. I often substitute turkey in other lamb or beef dishes, and it’s always delicious.