Shepherd's pie when the potato was being introduced as an edible crop affordable for the poor (cf. "cottage", meaning a modest dwelling for rural workers). The term "shepherd's pie" did not appear until 1854, and was used synonymously with cottage pie, regardless of whether the meat was beef or mutton. In the United Kingdom, the term "shepherd's pie" is now commonly used when the meat is lamb. In early cookery books, the dish was a means of using leftover roasted meat of any kind, and the pie dish was lined on the sides and bottom with mashed potato, as well as having
Steak pie "chippie sauce", is popular. The precise proportions of each ingredient are unique to each take-away. Throughout the UK, meat pies (as well as burgers and chips) is a traditional hot food eaten at football games either before kick-off or during half time. So synonymous is the meat pie with football in the UK, at the British Pie Awards an award is given for Best Football Pie. Other types of steak pie are available around the world, including in Australia and New Zealand. In Ireland, Guinness Stout is commonly added along with bacon and onions, and the result is commonly referred