The Ultimate Comfort Shepherds Pie A Classic Done Right

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil (15ml)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup / 150g)
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 cup / 130g)
• 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1/2 cup / 75g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp / 6g)
• 1 1/2 lbs ground lamb or beef (700g)
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (8g)
• 1 cup beef or lamb stock (240ml)
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional, about 120ml)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste (30ml)
• 1 tsp dried rosemary (2g)
• 1 tsp dried thyme (2g)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup frozen peas (150g)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (15ml)
• 3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered (1.4kg)
• 1/2 cup milk (120ml)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (57g), cut into cubes
• 1/4 cup grated mature cheddar cheese (optional, about 25g)
• Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
• 1 egg yolk (optional, about 18g)
• Pinch of grated nutmeg