Colonial Cooking

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.