The Tesco's Challenge: Cottage Pie

Green Bean glut is sorted, thanks to http://pickyourown.org/beansfreezing.htm, so the job of the day is to blanch and freeze the bean glut. However - having just done the beans - I don't think I want to see a green bean ever again.

There is quiet a bit of veg ordered this week, so the trick I need to achieve this week is to ensure none of it gets wasted.

One tip when Tesco deliver your veg, take them out of the bags, or put your thumb through the bag, this will stop them sweating and also store them in the fridge. Another tip is each day, go through your veg checking what is needing to get used up, and think how you can incorporate it into a meal. Also ignore the use by date, go back to good old common sense, if the veg looks OK, smells OK then it is OK, so we can reduce food wastage.

So what have we on the menu today, lets have a Great British favourite - that is always a family winner - good old Cottage Pie.

Cottage Pie

Approx Cost - £2.50p
Serves - 4 people

Ingredients:

600g peeled potatoes, quartered
100ml milk
40g butter
Salt and ground black pepper
1 TBLSP oil
1 finely chopped medium onion
1 finely chopped medium carrot
2 clove garlic finely chopped
400g ground/ minced beef
500 ml beef stock
115g finely chopped white mushrooms
1 TSP of dried parsley
Dash of Worcester sauce
1 TBLSP all-purpose flour
50g grated Cheddar Cheese

Method:

Boil the potatoes until soft, drain. Place the milk and butter in the pan with the boiled potatoes and mash, and set aside
Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion and carrot and fry on a medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Add the beef to the pan and fry gently until browned. Depending upon the quality of the mince being used, if there is a lot of fat then strain the fat from the mince
Add the carrots, onion and garlic, plus the mushrooms and parsley to the meat and cook on a low heat for 5 minutes
Add the flour to the pan and mix, cook for another minute
Add the beef stock, bring to the boil, turn down to a simmer and cook with the lid on for 20 minutes
Remove the lid, increase the heat and reduce the liquid until the sauce has thickened, stirring (See picture)
Taste and season with salt and pepper to desired taste
Place the cooked meat mix into a suitable dish and cover with the mashed potato. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top of the potato and bake in the heated oven for 40-45 minutes until the surface is crisp and browned.
Serve and enjoy !!