CHEF and blogger Paul James writes for our paper.
A DAY trip on the train from Moor Street Station in Birmingham to Stratford Upon Avon in Warwickshire was always a lovely day out when my son, jay was younger, especially at Christmas time.
But visiting in the summer meant boat rides on the River Avon, ice creams and of course all of the other attractions Shakespeare’s own county has to offer.
There is nothing better than sitting in a pub garden having a couple of glasses of pop and watching the world go by, especially when it was accompanied by a wonderful lunch.
I cannot recall the name of the pub, but I’m sure it was situated just overlooking the river next to the bridge.
You can travel anywhere around the world and eat in posh restaurants but to me sitting with loved ones enjoying the sun and surroundings in such a beautiful part of the country and a place that’s only half an hour away is pure heaven.
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Traditional shepherd’s pie
Ingredients
500 grams of lamb mince.
2 carrots, thinly sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
200grams of cooked garden Peas.
4 large Maris piper potatoes.
1 beef stock cube.
1 tbsp of gravy granules.
Generous knob of Butter for the mashed potato topping.
100 ml of whole milk for the mashed potato topping.
Method
1. Peel the potatoes and cut into chunks. Place in a saucepan of lightly salted cold water, bring to the boil then cover and simmer until cooked.
2. In a frying pan brown the lamb mince, drain the excess oil and put in a bowl and leave to one side for the moment.
3. Clean out the pan and fry the onions and carrots, until the onions are soft.
4. Add the mince back into the pan with the peas and crumble in the Stock cube and about a tablespoon of gravy granules, mix well then add a drop of boiling water.
5. Combine well.
6.Drain the potatoes, add the butter, milk, salt and pepper and mash until you have no lumps.
7. Put the mince mixture into a ovenproof dish and pipe on the mashed potato.
8. Cook in a preheated oven 180c for about 25 to 35 minutes or until the mashed potato topping is golden and the mince is piping hot and cooked thoroughly.
9. Serve with some Garlic bread.
Relax and enjoy.
