I was kind of expecting to get downvoted for playing the culinary gadfly, since I know how some people can get when it comes to traditional methods of preparing a dish (I've had this discussion several times at work and it seems I'm in the minority here). The support is a refreshing surprise.

It should be said, in my mother's defense, that she is not otherwise a bad cook. It's just her shepherd's pie and beef stew that I take exception to.