Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie is perhaps one of greatest food that came out from England along with roast beef and fish and chips. Interestingly, it was then called cottage pie by 1791 when the potato was being introduced as an edible crop affordable for the poor. In those times, the dish was a means of using leftover roasted meat of any kind, and the pie dish was lined with mashed potato as well as having a mashed potato crust on top.

The term "shepherd's pie" did not appear until 1877, and since then it has been used synonymously with "cottage pie", regardless of whether the principal ingredient was beef or mutton. More recently, some people have used the term "shepherd's pie" when the meat is lamb, the theory being that shepherds are concerned with sheep and not cattle.

It's variations include: St. Stephen's Day pie (made using turkey and ham) and Cumberland pie (a version with a layer of breadcrumb on top).