The perfect Cottage Pie?

Question

Please tell me how to make the perfect Cottage Pie. I have such a craving for it!
All I have is the mince, mushrooms, potatoes, onions and carrots. Do i need anything else?

Answer 1

The perfect Cottage Pie

Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
250g carrots, sliced
400g beef mince (best quality you can afford)
300ml fresh beef stock
800g floury potatoes (I prefer King Edwards for a really good mash)
butter and milk to help mash the tatties


Method
1. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F Gas Mark 5)

2. Heat the oil and fry the onion and carrots for 6 minutes.

3. Add the mince and cook for 10 minutes.

4. Stir in the stock, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes stirring occasionally.

5. Meanwhile, cook the potatoes until tender (takes around 15 mins) and mash well using the butter and milk as per your usual mashing preference.

6. Transfer the beef mixture to an oven dish and cover with the mashed potato. Use a fork to make wavy lines on the top of the mash.

7. Cook in the oven for 30 minutes.

Serves: 3-4. Best dished with some lightly steamed savoy cabbage (4-5 mins in steamer).

Enjoy!

Answer 2

Proper Cottage Pie:

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 pound lean ground beef
* 1 onion, diced
* 3 carrots, diced
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
* 1 1/2 cups beef broth
* 1 tablespoon tomato paste
* salt and pepper to taste
* 4 potatoes, peeled and diced
* 1/4 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup milk
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1/4 pound shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. To Make Meat Filling: Place a large skillet over medium heat. Crumble in ground beef and saute 1 minute. Add onion and carrot, then continue to saute until meat is no longer pink and onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Mix in flour, cinnamon, mixed herbs, and parsley.
3. In a small bowl, combine beef broth and tomato paste. Mix together, then add to beef mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Lower heat and simmer mixture for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until almost all of liquid has been absorbed. Spoon mixture into a 9 inch pie plate.
4. To Make Potato Topping: Place diced potatoes in a medium saucepan. Cover with water and place over high heat. Allow to come to a boil. Boil for 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Drain.
5. Mash potatoes until smooth, then add butter or margarine, followed by milk. Whip until fluffy. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread potatoes over beef filling. Sprinkle with grated Cheddar cheese.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, until top is browned and cheese is bubbly.

Answer 3

nope, you have all you need, though i put a few peas in, too

Answer 4

I like celery :)