Cottage pie is another one of those staple meals that somehow manage to keep these cold winter nights at bay.  It is a meal that I used to make fairly regularly at university as it was affordable and could easily feed a large number of people.  It is what I would describe as wholesome food – it gives you a good dose of protein, vegetables and carbs.  It is a meal that could very easily be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for cooking later in the week.  It is definitely a meal to keep in mind during these winter months as it is another one of those comfort foods.

Cottage Pie

Ingredients:

For the meat sauce:

• 400g minced beef
• 1 onion (diced)
• 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
• 2-3 carrots (peeled and diced)
• 1 tin of tomatoes
• 1 heaped tbsp tomato puree
• 2-3 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1-2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1tsp mixed herbs
• 1 beef stock cube
• seasoning
• oil (for cooking with)

For the mashed potato topping:

• 5-6 medium potatoes (peeled, cut into quarters)
• knob of butter
• 3-5tbsp milk
• seasoning
• 25-50g grated cheese

Steps:

Step 1 – make the meat sauce

1. Place the onions and garlic in a pan with a little oil and allow to soften.
2. Add the meat and cook stirring occasionally until it has browned off.
3. Add the carrots, tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, beef stock cube, herbs, half of the ketchup and the Worcestershire sauce and season well.
4. Allow the sauce to bubble away and reduce slightly for 20-30 minutes.  Then taste and add more ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and seasoning as necessary.

Step 2 – make the mashed potato topping

1. Whilst the sauce is reducing start making the potato topping.
2. Place the potatoes in a saucepan with some salt, cover with water and bring to the boil. Leave to simmer until potatoes are cooked (to test see if a knife passes through the potatoes easily).
3. Drain the potatoes and put back in the saucepan.
4. Add the milk, butter and seasoning then using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until they are smooth.

Step 3 – make up the cottage pie

1. Place the meat sauce in a deep ovenproof dish.
2. Then carefully cover with the mashed potato and create a swirly pattern using a fork.
3. Finally top with some grated cheese.
4. Place in the oven and cook at 180C fan for 30 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving with the vegetables of your choice.