- Preparation time
- 30 mins
- Cooking time
- 60 mins
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Serves
- 4 people
- Meal course
- Main Course
- Posted by
- Posted on
- April 4, 2016
- 3 Tbsp
- Olive Oil
- 3 lb
- Beef - Ground
- 2 Med.
- Onion - Yellow
- 3 Individual
- Carrot
- 2 Clove
- Garlic - Fresh (Finely Chopped)
- 3 Tbsp
- Flour - All Purpose
- 3 Individual
- Celery Stalk
- 1 Tbsp
- Tomato Puree
- 1 Cup
- Red Wine
- 850 ml
- Broth - Beef
- 4 Tbsp
- Worcestershire Sauce
- 4 Sprig
- Thyme - Fresh
- 4 lb
- Potato
- 225 ml
- Milk
- 25 g
- Butter
- 200 g
- Chedder Cheese (Sharp)
- 1 Pinch
- Nutmeg - Ground
A traditional cottage pie is made with ground beef and topped with mashed potatoes. Basically it is a Shepherds pie made with beef rather than lamb.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large saucepan and fry the beef until browned – you may need to do this in batches. Set aside the meat when browned.
- Put the rest of the oil into the pan, add the vegetables and cook on a gentle heat until soft, about 20 mins.
- Add the garlic, flour and tomato purée, increase the heat and cook for a few mins,
- Return the beef to the pan
- Pour over the wine and boil to reduce it slightly before adding the broth, Worcestershire sauce and herbs.
- Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 45 mins. By this time the gravy should be thick and coating the meat. Check after about 30 mins – if a lot of liquid remains, increase the heat slightly to reduce the gravy a little.
- Season well with salt and pepper, then discard the bay leaves and thyme stalks.
- Meanwhile, make the mash
- In a large saucepan, cover the potatoes in salted cold water, bring to the boil and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.
- Drain well, then allow to steam-dry for a few mins.
- Mash well with the milk, butter, and three-quarters of the cheese, then season with the nutmeg and some salt and pepper.
- Spoon meat into an ovenproof dish or several individual ramekins. Pipe or spoon on the mash to cover. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese. If eating straight away, heat oven to 400/425 degrees and cook for 25-30 mins, or until the topping is golden.
- Grate the Cheese
- Finely chop the onion and garlic, coarsely chop carrots and celery