Shepherd’s Pie is a traditional British dish that comprises minced lamb, onion, vegetables and gravy, covered in a mashed potato crust. There are many creative variations to Shepherd’s Pie that taste just as good as the traditional recipe. But what can you serve as a healthy side dish to Shepherd’s Pie?
Garden vegetables such as peas, carrots and green beans make a healthy, tasty side dish to Shepherd’s Pie. A friend of mine omits the vegetables from her Shepherd’s Pie (apart from onion) and adds the vegetables you would normally include along with the meat, to the side. Use a combination of these garden vegetables, or just one, and add them as a healthy side dish to Shepherd’s Pie. If you are serving peas, add a generous helping of mint (dried or fresh) to the peas for an authentic British taste.
A simple garden salad with crispy leaves such as romaine, iceberg lettuce, spinach and some crunchy sliced celery is a healthy side dish that will help you to achieve your daily quota of fresh fruit and vegetables without too much effort. Use a low-fat dressing or homemade vinaigrette to drizzle over the garden salad. Prepare the garden salad just a few minutes before the Shepherd’s Pie is ready to come out the oven and serve it at room temperature.
Barbecued Vegetables
Barbecued vegetables are a tasty way to serve vegetables. Cook up a batch of onion, courgette (zucchini), mushrooms and plump tomatoes. You can use a roasting pan to cook the vegetables directly on the burner covered in liquid such as tomato juice or a homemade marinade or baste, so that the vegetables do not burn. Let the vegetables cool down for a few minutes before serving them with the Shepherd’s Pie.
Shepherd’s Pie is a tasty, filling meal in itself. But if you are looking for some healthy side dishes to serve alongside the Shepherd’s Pie, serve a selection of garden vegetables, a simple garden salad or a batch of barbecued vegetables. Go easy on the dressings and omit the oils, for even healthier side dishes.
