Cottage Pie

Cottage Pie is a meat based pie with a mashed potato crust.  Perfect comfort food for the Monday blues…….or any other weekday blues for that matter.  Simple and easy with this step-by-step recipe.

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 medium potatoes – peeled (and milk and butter for mash)
• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup brown mushrooms, sliced
• 1 beef stock cube (sometimes i use oxtail for a little more richness)
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil for frying
• 1 tbsp garlic and lemon spice mix
• 3-4 tbsp tomato paste
• ½ tsp thyme
• ½ tsp oregano
• ½ tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup grated cheddar to sprinkle on top of mash

METHOD:

1. Peel the potatoes, slice in half and boil until soft.
2. Fry the onion in the cooking oil until soft.
3. Add the mince, garlic & lemon mix, stock cube and water to the onions.
4. Once the mince is sealed and has a nice brown colour to it, add the mushrooms, tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, rosemary, thyme and oregano.
5. Mix together well.
6. Allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes.
7. Once everything is cooked, add the mixture to a round casserole dish.
8. Mash the potatoes, add some milk and butter to create a soft even consistency (it should not be runny).
9. Now spread the mash potato evenly over the mince mixture and then sprinkle with cheese (this is optional but tastes delicious!).
10. Place the dish under the grill for a few minutes and allow cheese to melt and turn golden brown and slightly crispy.
11. Enjoy with a fresh green salad.