Looking for EASY recipes for Shepherds Pie, etc.

My husband is a real meat and potatoes kind of guy. Me, I'll take pasta or rice and seafood any day!

Does anyone have an easy recipe for Shepherds Pie, or other traditionally British dishes? I'm also interested in a good recipe for a roast. Consider me a novice in the kitchen in regard to the above - so, recipes must be easy!

Thanks much in advance.

**edited for spelling of Shepherds! I didn't think it looked right 

asda has their own casserole mix for it

http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000216easy_shepherds_pie.php

At my house, Steve just kind of makes up his own.  (He doesn't put corn in it!)  Shepherds pie is essentially lamb mince fried up with onion & seasonings, put in some extra veg if you want (carrots, peas)...  Tip the lot into a casserole dish & cover it with mashed potatoes.  Then bake it.  You can make it as simple or complex as you like really, but the main concept isn't difficult.

If you do it with beef mince (instead of lamb), then it's cottage (not shepherds) pie.

asda has their own casserole mix for it

But is it any good?

http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000216easy_shepherds_pie.php]

Thanks for the link! I'll check it out.

Look on http://www.bbcgoodfood.com  Lots of recipes and lots of 'how-to' articles.

sheperd's pie is one of those dishes that you don't really need a recipie for.  it's my leftover dish... cut up a small onion, fry up with a bit of garlic.  put in lamb or beef mince.  then add peas & leftover cooked carrots.  sometimes i add a can of shopped tomoatoes.  you can also add corn.  i put in a beef stock cube and a bit of water to make it gravyish.  then i bung that lot in a 9 inch square dish (this recipie is for 2).  on top goes leftover mashed potatoes.  then grated cheese.  bake until bubbling.

the other british dish that i make is toad in a hole.  fry/bake sausages.  put each sausage into a well of a muffin tin.  put a drop of oil and put it in the oven to get piping hot.  then i made yorkshire batter- and pour that on top.  bake on top shelf for 15-20 mins or so until puffy and lovely.

i'd suggest getting a good english cookbook- personally i like delia.  classic dishes.  also though if you're looking for something a bit lighter & funkier jaime oliver's cookbooks are lovely.

happy cooking!

meggles: thanks so much. I suddenly got very hungry as I read your post! 
Thanks! I'll give it a try.

Suggestion, season the mince before you cook it. Mash it up with some vinegar and garlic powder and let it sit in the fridge for about an hour before you cook it. My stepmother turned me onto Adobo and Sazón seasonings from Goya. They make all the difference to mince so try and get some next time you are home.
Mixing the mince with stock cube or gravy granules makes it divine.

In terms of easy recipes, the Tesco magazine usually has some good ones.
We were given a Marks and Spencer cookbook called 'How to Cook' which gives tips on major dishes such as roasts and its come in very handy. See if you can get hold of one.

Traditionally, Sheps Pie shouldn't have garlic in it, but I agree it livens it up.

I put in a stock cube, random amounts of whatever herbs I have to hand, and a splash of Worcestershire Sauce.  Because I use 'fake' mince (Quorn or similar) I have to add quite a bit of salt and pepper to spice it up, but if you are using real mince you don't need to.

Tode in the hole is possibly the best British culinary contribution, and is dead easy.  Just remember to have the oven hot enough and not to open the door or it won't rise.

Vicky

The difficulty I have with shepherds pie, sloppy joes, fondue and the like is that they are supposed to be built on leftovers.  I never have any!  Or at least not enough... and it feels weird to make new stuff for those dishes, or buy new bread to leave out for fondue.

For really easy food that's often quite amusing, take a look at http://www.oddtodd.com/  There's a recipe section.  (The other stuff is good, too!)

Look on http://www.bbcgoodfood.com  Lots of recipes and lots of 'how-to' articles.

This is a great website, thank you very much for sharing!!!