Traditional Cottage Pie

Ingredients

• 800 g beef mince
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 500 ml beef stock
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 kg potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 50 g butter
• 100 ml milk
• 100 g Cheddar cheese, grated
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large pan and brown the beef mince.
2. Add the onions, carrots and celery and cook until softened.
3. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Pour in the stock and Worcestershire sauce and add the thyme.
5. Simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes until thick and rich.
6. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes until tender.
7. Drain and mash with the butter and milk.
8. Spoon the beef mixture into an ovenproof dish.
9. Spread the mashed potatoes over the filling and sprinkle with cheese.
10. Bake at 200°C for 25 to 30 minutes until golden.