Mumma's Cottage Pie
The title says it all. One of the families favourites, regardless of the time of year is my Mumma's Cottage Pie. A proper British dinner table staple.
As the weather here turns cooler and autumn has appeared overnight, food prep takes a turn from the summery salads to cosy comforting meals which you can leave to bubble away while your winding down from your busy day. One of my favourite comforting meals has to be my Mumma's Cottage Pie.
I remember coming home from school on a cold, dark autumn evenings to the smell of mince beef and onions. That's when I knew mum had been making her cottage pie. It has become one of those core childhood memories. As I've gotten old I have taken these recipes I love and enjoy making and sharing with everyone.
To make my Mummas Cottage Pie you will need...
Ingredients
- Mince Beef
- Onions
- Gravy
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
- Beef Stock Cube
- Boiling Water
For The Mash Topping
- Potatoes
- Milk
- Butter
- Salt
- Pepper
Method
- First, in a large pot cook your mince beef until brown in colour.
- Next chop your onion into small chunks and add to the mince. Mix to combine and cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are soft and translucent.
- Taking one crushed stock cube, add to the pot along with roughly a pint on boiling water. stir and bring to a slow boil. This is the perfect time to add your seasoning and a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce (Add a couple to begin with, taste and add more if needed as you don't want to over power the mixture).
- While the mixture is slowly bubbling and reducing down, it's time to peel, and chop your potatoes into equal pieces. This helps to cook them at the same time. Add to another pan with cold water and a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil and cook until the potatoes are tender.
- While the potatoes are cooking, add your beef gravy granules to the beef, onion mixture and stir to thicken up. At this point I would advice you to add the granules slowly as too much can make the gravy go super thick and lumpy.
- Once at your desired consistence, spoon into an oven proof dish and spread an even layer coating the bottom of the dish.
- Now that the potatoes are cooked, removed from the heat and strain well. Add in your milk and butter and give it a really good mash. If you have a potato ricer I would use this first before adding the milk and butter so you don't get lumpy mash. Otherwise, it's time to have an arm workout and get mashing.
- Next dollop the mash over the mince and spread till it's completely covering the minced beef and onion mixture. Once covered, slowly and carefully drag a fork across the potato and pop in the oven to finish off cooking.
- Dish up and enjoy once the top is golden and the gravy is bubbling out the sides.
And there you have it my amazing Mummas Cottage Pie. Perfect for these dark and cold autumn evenings when you want something warm and comforting to eat.
If you make this dish, why not send me a picture on Instagram using the #acountrygirlskitchen so I can go over and show it some love.
I hope you all have a wonderful day.
*Chefs Kiss*
