GM is back in town! PART ONE

We all miss our dear friends the O'Connells who moved to Argentina about 6 years ago. GM usually visits a few times a year and it is always a good reason to get some friends together. It was supposed to be a chilly and rainy Saturday so I decided on Braised Lamb Shank Shepherds's pie with Creamed Spinach. Have done this a couple of times but not for a while. It is a pretty easy dish but you do spend some time in the kitchen for this dish. Luckily for me it is a welcome break from a busy work life, and so long as I have the time I am never happier than being in my kitchen, listening to BBC radio 4 with the anticipation of a fun evening with friends ahead.

DINNER FOR THE TAVERNAS

Charlotte is a wonderful friend. She has had surgery recently and I wanted to cook a meal for her family. Decided on Cottage pie, always a crowd pleaser! I have been using a Delia Smith recipe for years, which I adapt. For those who don't know, this is Shepherd's pie when made with lamb and Cottage when made with beef. I didn't do the leek topping this time as I'm not sure Charlotte's kids would like it, and I add more butter than the recipe says to the mash! I also leave out the grated cheese on the potatoes, just don't think it needs it.I always serve this with peas and I like to add some Worcestershire sauce too. By the way, the final picture is before it is cooked in the oven as this will be done before they eat it tomorrow night.