It's raining here today, so I'm as subdued as the grey skies. After two mornings of very early morning walks as I attempt to get back into the "I, too, can be fit!" swing of things, I'm content to sit in the quiet sipping my coffee. Thoughts come and go but hover around memories of our trip to the UK a few years go — the winding roads in Wales, ancient castle ruins tucked between soft green hills, engaging after dinner conversation with local farmers at an old country house, and Pub food.
Last night, my husband's parents came by for an impromptu celebration in honor of my mother-in-law's birthday, and it seemed perfect to make a shepherd's pie. I love to cook for them, and for years, they've indulged my culinary whims. When we get together, inevitably, talk turns to travel, and specifically travel to the UK. My father-in-law has always wanted to go, and so he graciously indulges us yet another sharing of our time there as we think of ways to get him there before too much longer. He's 80 now.
Of course the talk turns to food and a pub we enjoyed in Bath. I don't remember the name of it because we made several attempts before we found one that would allow us to enter, my husband talking to someone inside while my son and I waited on the street. Although pubs are more accepting of children than they used to be, not all of them are, and it was mortifying to my son that his presence caused us to have to search. I felt badly for him knowing I would have been embarrassed as well. Finally we found one, and were led to the back, away from the bar to a small room. So much for my romantic notions of cozy tables, old plastered walls and a roaring fire, no matter if it was the middle of summer with temperatures so uncharacteristically hot that everyone was talking about it.
Thank goodness for the waiter who indulged my husband with good-natured humor in answering a question about the rules of Cricket. He chided us about ordering "extra cold" beer and served us a meal of Shepherd's Pie that was truly memorable.
Shepherd's Pie is a traditional English dish made of minced meat — usually lamb — and vegetables, then covered with mashed potatoes before baking. If the dish contains beef, then it's referred to as a Cottage Pie. Regardless, it's comfort food at its best, and one that will leave you smiling well into the evening after the plates have been cleared from the table. You may have to waddle to bed, however, because it's quite filling.
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