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Original poster

Why frozen peas in shepherds or cottage pie

27 replies

Gfplux · 09/12/2017 12:27

I see in almost every recipe of Shepherds Pie to add FROZEN peas on the top of the "mince" then the mashed potatoes.
Why frozen?
Having cooked shepherds pie (with beef mince as one of our family hates lamb) a few times, I see that if the "mince" is too wet there is a tendency for the (real) mashed potatoes to sink in to it.
So I have the beginning of a theory that the frozen peas create a support for the mash.
Anyone else have thoughts about this.

OP posts:
treeofhearts · 09/12/2017 12:28

So they don't go mushy I'd think

NCforthis12345 · 09/12/2017 12:29

I have never come across this. Yes add in the peas before the mash topping but they still need to be mixed into the mince mixture. How unusual.

Council · 09/12/2017 12:41

A layer of peas between the meat and the mash?

I have never, ever seen that, but frozen peas are almost always preferable to fresh IMO. Fresh (shop bought) one are almost always old, grainy and expensive. There's no benefit for the faff of podding them, unlike most vegetables which are better fresh (IMVHO)

Original poster
Gfplux · 09/12/2017 12:46

Why frozen, why not tinned?
Just check out any menu and you see "frozen peas" but no explanation

OP posts:
Trills · 09/12/2017 12:48

I've never heard of this.

Have your peas on the side.

Tinned peas are yuck though. Frozen ones have much better colour and texture.

gamerwidow · 09/12/2017 12:51

Because frozen peas taste nicer and adding peas gets a bit of veg into the dish and makes it healthier. I don’t think they are for structural integrity!

Eminybob · 09/12/2017 13:01

I never put peas into the mix, they are to be served on the side

toothbrushhead · 09/12/2017 15:29

This is how Jamie oliver did it on superfood family classics

I thin the recipe will be on his website as he did it on tv

Later do frozen peas supporting the mash

exLtEveDallas · 09/12/2017 15:33

My cottage pie has fresh carrots cooked with the mince and then frozen peas mixed in at the very end (so they don't cook too much). In between the mince and potato I do a layer of mashed carrot and swede which sinks slightly so the potato stays completely on top.

Eolian · 09/12/2017 15:34

Because tinned peas are horrible?

Eolian · 09/12/2017 15:35

Sorry, meant to add, surely the peas that most people buy are frozen peas. I don't know anyone who uses tinned peas and have never bought any myself.

Migraleve · 09/12/2017 15:36

Because frozen peas are as close as they can be to fresh. Tinned peas are vile and soggy

kateandme · 09/12/2017 15:40

I think this is just for those that might see peas and think "peas where do I or how expensive are fresh peas!or tinned.or frozen.which?" when really whenever you add peas oto anything frozen are just as good if not better than fresh.
but if you put carrots on a recipe you pretty much know which carrots to use.but with pease people often don't realise how frozen are just as good as fresh as they are indeed fresh just intantly put on ice to keep just that.fresh.

Eminybob · 10/12/2017 07:12

I don’t think I have ever seen fresh peas for sale in a shop. Only ever had them from peoples gardens.

OhforfucksakeFay · 10/12/2017 07:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhforfucksakeFay · 10/12/2017 07:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Gfplux · 10/12/2017 08:29

This is what Jamie Oliver says.
"Sprinkle the peas over the mince, letting them sit on the surface to help prevent the mash from sinking in too much. Put spoons of mash randomly on top, using a fork to scuff it up and make valleys and mountains, increasing the surface area, and the crispy bits."

Ingredients have 350g Frozen peas.

OP posts:
Migraleve · 10/12/2017 08:30

I thought the OP was asking why frozen, not why peas?

Original poster
Gfplux · 10/12/2017 08:34

I will be using frozen peas today in my Shepherds Pie made with Beef mince. As I understand it Cottage Pie with Beef mince should have SLICED potatoes on the top.
So my Shepherds Pie with mashed potatoes is called Cowmans Pie!

I still don't understand why frozen peas. Tinned peas are freely available. But today Frozen it will be.

OP posts:
Eolian · 10/12/2017 08:38

I don't get it, OP, you're asking this as though tinned peas were the normal, default pea choice and frozen were a bit niche. Whereas I think it's the other way round!

8pawsgood · 10/12/2017 08:44

Never heard of peas in a shepherd/cottage pie....on the side yes. Tinned peas..a big no.. only curry houses use them in their food. 🍛

Jenala · 10/12/2017 08:46

Tinned peas are already soggy and would be even worse baked in the oven. Urgh. Does anyone even buy tinned peas?

Trills · 10/12/2017 09:54

"re asking this as though tinned peas were the normal, default pea choice and frozen were a bit niche"

Yes this.

Frozen peas are the default pea.

No peas is the normal kind of pea inside a cottage pie.

WeAllHaveWings · 10/12/2017 10:14

The only time I’ve had a tinned pea (or tinned carrot) since leaving home 26 years ago is when I visit my mum. When she occasionally does fresh veg she also boils for 20 mins to get the same texture/flavour as tinned. Last Xmas she put the sprouts on before the roast potatoes!!

Peas are much nicer frozen than tinned and mostly nicer than fresh.

MushroomSoup · 10/12/2017 13:05

Mary Berry’s Fish pie has a layer of sautéed leeks and roughly chopped hard boiled eggs under the mash. No sinking and bloody delicious.

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