Tuesday, October 6, 2009

A Once A Week Indulgence...

Once a week, I shop at the local Publix store for groceries. I must admit, it makes shopping a pleasure.
The first isle I troll, is the imported 'Brit food' section, with it's full-size Union Jack flag, towering above, it beckons my attention.
I stock up on Shepherd's Pie mix, a gravy of sorts, with tomato base and herbs and spices.
British people tend to like meat and potatoes, working -man's staples.

Shepherd's Pie is a concoction of ground meat, onions, carrots, and peas, topped off with mashed potatoes, and browned in the oven until the potatoes are nice and crusty.
It's the first meal I cooked for the First Sergeant, and one of his favorites still to this day.



The in-store bakery is the last place I shop, before heading home. This is the reason I cannot lose weight.......
Warm, fresh out of the oven blueberry or cranberry/orange scones.
I smell them baking as I'm trolling around the store. If I were to make the bakery my first stop upon entering, I would no doubt eat them as I shopped.
Instead, I play a game with myself. Finish the shopping, head home and unload, then make a nice pot of tea.
Put my feet up, and reap the rewards of a well-earned break.
Hhmmmm nawt better ;)

27 comments:

Clare said...

I will have to look for this in the British section of my store. I hate that I have to be $4 for my choccy digestives! Sheperds Pie is one of my hubbys favourites. I have bene making it up with oxo. (def. not the same)

LHA said...

Those Colman's packets are something I always stock up on when I go home! Fantastic!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh--that Shepherd's Pie looks fabulous. It's been a long time since I had any --but think I'll make a trip to Publix.

We don't have Publix here in Crossville, but there is one in G's parents' town, Hendersonville.

Thanks!!!! Looks incredible.
Hugs,
Betsy

Andora said...

Having those scones and a spot of tea looks so goood...I don't think I have ever eaten shepherds pie..but I have heard of it..I may give this a try..take care..

Becca's Dirt said...

I love shepherds pie. It is hard to stroll thru the fresh baked goods aisle and not pick up something. I have to avoid the area or buy something.

bobbi said...

The Shepherd's Pie looks delicious! Wonderful comfort food. I, too, like a good scone with afternoon tea and topped with clotted cream. Divine! Must be my British ancestry:)

Anonymous said...

I love Shepherd's pie. My mom used to make it for us when I was growing up.

Jeannette StG said...

I love sheperds pie, but I've never seen a mix of it. We don't have your store either (sigh). Have to say that I have a lot more recipes for cold weather than for hot. And in Holl. (where I'm originally from) we like our daily potatoes and meat too!

Sunny said...

I just made a Shepherd's Pie last night for dinner, but I've never seen a mix. I'll have to see if our supermaket carries it in their British section.
Your pie looks yummy.
Sunny :)

Sharon Rose said...

Wow. . . Publix, I haven't seen one of those stores since 2006 when I was in the South.

And shephard's pie? I love it!

Anonymous said...

My mom used to make Shepard's pie for us when I was a kid. I have never seen a mix for it though. We always just threw in whatever was in the fridge. LOL

Thanks for helping me remember times long ago!

BTW, I love your blog music!!! Sometimes I leave your blog open and open another window to read other blogs on, just so I can hear your music.

L. D. said...

I had an orange/cranberry scone just last week with my coffee at Barnes and Noble. I really like them. I saw on a pbs show that they were making scones with caramelized walnuts in them. I am looking for that recipe. Blue willow is a comforting setting to have tea with. You have made me hungry. Nice blog.

DJan said...

I have never had shepherd's pie, but my mother used to make something similar with corn meal on the top instead of potatoes. And I have never heard of Publix, must be missing from Colorado or Washington state! Thanks for the lovely post. I've been missing your comments.

carlarey said...

I'm heading straight to Publix. We are craving mushy peas, real ones, not the canned. If they have them, I will be the happiest girl in the state.

Unknown said...

Shepherd's Pie is one of my favorites also. From the looks of it I'd say we make it the same. When I was working, we would cook at work from time to time, and I've seen quite a number of ways to make. One way was layering in cabage to the mix. It was very good if you like cabbage.

Gloria said...

Fabulous! I wish I could buy that Colman's mix here in Spain. Also miss having Bisto . . .Mmmhhh! Shepherd's Pie, an all time favourite of me, hubby and son. In fact I'm going to have to make it for tomorrows lunch now. Love that Shepherd's Pie. Is equally tasty with loads of parmesan cheese mixed into the mash and gives a lovely golden crusty finish to the top of the pie. Perfection!

So nice to see your face pop up on my followers box and always a joy to revisit this, my most favourite photo blog.

Come back soon!

Michael said...

Yum. Love shephard's pie!! haven't ahd it in ages. nothing like it when it is freezing cold outside.

I have been looking for simple raisin or sultanna scones--can't find them anywhere.

Cass @ That Old House said...

Ummmm... that's all I have to say. Just, Ummmmm.....
Cass

cheshire wife said...

I am sure that the scones taste better when eaten off your lovely china!

Anonymous said...

Eeeee, lass, you've got me all fired up for shepherd's pie now! NowI'm going to have to look for that mix tonight. Not sure they carry it in my local grocery store. They classify UK goods as "Ethnic" in my local supermarket. I'm not sure I like that!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Clare: I also add an OXO for added taste, if I don't have the mix on hand then I make the whole thing with OXO's...my favorite.

Betsy: The Publix has just been here a little over a year. I kept hearing how high everything was, and avoided shopping there, but once I did, there is no comparison.
I'm hooked.

Andora: It's a simple working man's meal. Meat, potatoes and a gravy base. Served with peas and carrots, and I like to boil cabbage and serve with it.

Becca's Dirt: I know what you mean. Yesterday, I not only bought the scones, but also a cherry pie and oatmeal and raisin cookies..lol

Jeannette: Sometimes people call it Cottage Pie, but that is usually made with cuts of steak rather than ground beef, either way, I like it.

Laura, I honestly like Lipton tea, but Tetley and Yorkshire when I want something stronger.
We have a World Market, I've never been there, it's about 25miles away. I should try it. Thanks !

Sunny : How funny ! We must have had it on our minds....

Pastor Sharon: I guess Publix is a Southern store ? Not really sure of that.
I knew you'd like Shepherd's Pie ..lol

Amy: Yes, we use whatever vegetable we have on hand also. It was the first meal I learned to cook in domestic science class in school. (Cookery class). I like it with cabbage on the side too.

L.D. Are you a scone lover too ? I'll have to try the ones in Barnes and Noble, didn't know they had them. Glad you liked the blue willow, it's my favorite.

Carlarey: Mushy peas....ohhh !
I've only seen them in the tins, big marrofat peas.
It's got me thinking about a lovely cod and chips and mushy peas.....

Snapper: Yes, I love to boil a cabbage and serve it on the side. Sounds like you're a good cook !

Gloria: Oh never thought of trying cheese in the potatoes, that sounds delicious...
Next time you're back in Blighty, you'll have to stock up, on the Colmans or just use the old OXO's like I do most of the time.

..mmm: You;ll have to make yourself a batch of raisin and sultanna scones, do you have a recipe ? What is it with us Brits and our Shepherd's Pies...lol

Cass: Thanks for the Ummmmmm it sounds good ;)

Dave: Ethnic...hmmm, what's the name of your market ?
No scratch that question ;)
Just make it with OXO's can you get them ? There at Publix also, I'll send you some....

Anonymous said...

mmmmmm, my mouth is watering!!

The Prodigal Tourist said...

I've been thinking about Shepherd's Pie... think I might have to make some very soon! Definitely a favourite.

Winifred said...

On Tuesday I said I'd made one for tea. My husband said,I hadn't I'd made cottage pie. What's the difference I asked. Apparently cottage pie is made from minced beef and shepherd's pie is made from minced lamb. Now I know!

George said...

I had Shepherd's Pie when I visited London several years ago and it was delicious. I'll have to admit that the scones were delicious as well.

cheshire wife said...

I thought that I left a comment here earlier in the week. Must have forgotten to press the publish button, so will try again.

I bet those scones taste better off your lovely china!

Delchick42 said...

Oh my! I want to come and eat at your house, lol. Looks so yummy. I love shepards pie such great comfort food. You have given me the idea for this Sundays menu. The scones and tea remind me of my mom and home:) She has her daily tea and my family and I love her scones. On a day as drizzly as today both would be welcome in my tummy. Thanks for sharing.