The BF has been dropping hints about cottage pies & shepherd’s pies since forever. So one day, because I’m just so unbelievably awesome, I decided to materialise his wish.
It’s definitely not the type of cottage pies he grew up eating. For one the ones he’s accustomed to pies that have no chillies. And, it’s nowhere near the standard of his grandmother’s (which according to him is the best cottage pie in the whole wide world) BUT mine was juicy and delicious ;)
So if you’re interested in making an impressive looking, impressive tasting but impressively simple dish, here goes:
For the filling:
- 1 chili, sliced
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 1 carrot, grated
- 2 handfuls of frozen peas
- 1 small bottle of beer
- 300+ gm of minced beef
- 3 tablespoons of ketchup
For the crust:
- Peeled & chopped 8 small potatoes, or 2 large ones
- Some milk (or whipping cream, which I naughtily used :P)
- Salt & pepper
# – First of all, heat up some oil in a pot and brown the minced beef.
# – Throw in the onions. Stir.
# – Throw in the chillies. Stir.
# – Throw in the grated carrots. Stir.
# – Pour in beer till it covers the top of mixture slightly. Stir.
# – Throw in 3 tablespoon of ketchup. Stir.
# – Throw in 1 tablespoon of salt. Stir.
# – Throw in frozen peas. Stir.
Leave mixture to simmer till everything is pretty soft and the liquid reduced by half. If it’s too dry, add more beer :D During this time, boil some chopped potatoes for making mash. I steamed mine though cause I’m just preppy like that.
# – Mash the potatoes, add some milk, salt & pepper. Throw in some cheese if you’re not on a diet, why not? If you’ve got your own favourite version of mash potato, use it.
# – Pour the beef mixture into a casserole dish.
# – Spread mash potato all over the surface of the beef mixture, making sure there’s no hole in the crust anywhere.
# – Looks good enough to eat but it’s not done yet!
# – Stick it in pre-heated oven for 30 minutes at 190 degrees celcius.
# – After 30 minutes, bring the cottage pie out to rest.
# – Or dig in immediately, like what we did :)
This cottage pie is very juicy and flavourful. There’s no need to make any stock as the liquid is all from the beer. There’s a good kick from the chillies though if you can’t take the heat so well you can always omit the chillies.
# – YUMMMS!
My favourite thing about this dish? It’s a complete meal all in one bowl which means, less washing up! Hehehehe.