Colonial Cooking Concoctions

Colonial recipes were known for being very innovative and delicious.  The cooking traditions of the colonial times did not end there—they live on through historical sites and reenactments.  Additionally, recipes that have been passed down for hundreds of years also allow colonial cooking to live on.  Some might have changed over the years, but many recipes have remained essentially the same since they were first prepared hundreds of years ago.  It is in this way that colonial cooking is not just a thing of the past.  Elements of colonial cooking can be seen in modern day cooking, and they will most definitely be present in future kitchens as well.

The Same Old Shepherd's Pie

One of the traditional colonial dishes that has remained a well-liked meal to this very day is shepherd's pie.  Shepherd's pie is delicious, simple, and it is obviously popular enough to have transcended centuries.  To prepare shepherd's pie, you will fist need to gather the ingredients.  The ingredients, which have remained very much the same since the time of colonial cooking, include: 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 2 pounds peeled and diced carrots, ½ pound peeled and diced turnips, 1 medium peeled and diced onion, 3 celery stalks, 13 cups of tomato paste, salt, pepper, one teaspoon of fresh thyme, ½ cup of flour, 2 cups of water or beef stock, 2 pounds of white or red potatoes, ¼ pound unsalted butter, 1 egg, 1 egg yolk, and 2 pounds of lean boneless leg of lamb.

To begin preparing shepherd's pie, melt the butter in a Dutch oven (you can use a small saucepan if you wish) over medium high heat.  Add the lamb, cook until finished, remove, and set aside.  Next, add the vegetables and sauté for about 3 minutes.  Add in the lamb, along with the thyme, and sprinkle the four over the mixture.  Cook on low heat, and then add in the cold stock or water.  Raise the heat so that it is medium high, bringing the mixture to a boil, and stir in the tomato paste.  Add the salt and pepper, and continue to cook for 55 minutes. 

While the lamb mixture is cooking, boil the potatoes over high heat for about fifteen minutes.  Drain and mash them with the butter, egg, and yolk.  Place this mixture in a pastry bag.  When you are ready to serve, preheat your broiler.  Place the lamb in small individual dishes, pipe the potatoes on top, and brown the potatoes over the broiler.  Serve the shepherd's pie immediately.

Don't Mess With Tradition

Meals like shepherd's pie have remained a classic favorite over the years.  Since the time of colonial cooking, there are some things that have never changed.