From Her Kitchen to Yours: A Global Journey with Nabila Khashoggi Author of "World Explorer Family Cookbook"

We’re thrilled to welcome author Nabila Khashoggi to the blog today as part of the iRead Book Tours spotlight for her delicious new release, "World Explorer Family Cookbook"! This global-inspired cookbook, designed to spark curiosity and connection through food, is perfect for families eager to explore new cultures one recipe at a time. As part of the tour running from August 11 to August 29, Nabila has generously shared a heartfelt story and comforting recipe for her Nanny’s Shepherd’s Pie—a nostalgic dish filled with love, tradition, and flavor. PLUS, don’t miss the giveaway for a chance to win your own copy of this beautiful cookbook!

Memory and Recipe of Nanny's Shepard's Pie

by Nabila Khashoggi

I remember standing on a stool in my Nanny's kitchen, peeking over the worktop as she mashed the potatoes. My brothers and I would fight to lick the spoon. This recipe isn't in my book; it's from her, passed down the way recipes used to be, by watching, tasting, and being shooed away from nibbling too much before dinner.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 500g lamb mince (Gran swore by leftover roast lamb, minced by hand)

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 2 carrots, diced small

• 2 sticks celery, diced

• 1 tbsp plain flour

• 300ml beef or lamb stock

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp tomato purée

• 1 bay leaf

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 800g potatoes, peeled and chopped

• 50g butter

• 100ml warm milk

  
  

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C.

2. In a large pan, gently fry the onion, carrots, and celery in a bit of butter until softened.

3. Add the lamb mince, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned.

4. Sprinkle over the flour, stir well, and cook for 2 minutes.

5. Stir in the stock, Worcestershire sauce, tomato purée, and bay leaf. Simmer for 20 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove bay leaf, season to taste.

6. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes until tender. Drain, then mash with butter and warm milk until smooth.

7. Spoon the lamb mixture into an ovenproof dish, top with mashed potato, and rough up the surface with a fork (Gran said this made the "crispy bits").

8. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden on top.

   
   

The Story

Nanny always made shepherd's pie when someone "important" was coming, that meant anyone she cared about, and when we had something to celebrate, because she knew we loved it. "It's not about what's in it," she said, "it's about who's here to share it." The pie wasn't the main course; it was the company.

Thank you, Nabila, for this lovely story about your Nanny and for sharing her recipe.

Be sure to check out more yummy recipes and stories in Nabila's cookbook "World Explorer Family Cookbook"! Details and the giveaway are below: