I wanted to make a Cottage pie one week but Bacon is not really into cottage pie. She has something against peas. I told her to give peas a chance. She did not, nor did she appreciate the pun. So I decided to try and create something in a similar vein but a bit more exciting. It's got a little spice and warmth to it and a much more intriguing flavour.
Ingredients
Beef mince
1 large Onion
3 medium carrots
Cherry Tomatoes
Tinned chopped tomatoes
Borlotti beans
3 cloves garlic
Sweet Potatoes
Cheddar
Half a glass of red wine
Thyme
Chilli flakes
Chilli powder
Cumin
Smoked Paprika
Mixed spice
Beef Stock cube
How to
Roughly chop the onions and add them to a pan with a little oil and a lid over a low heat to sweat and soften. Chop the carrots into chunks about 2cm. You do not need to peel them unless you're a fucking princess. Add them to the pan as well.
Season the mince with salt, pepper, a teaspoon of thyme and a teaspoon of cumin. Then just walk away for a bit.
Chop a handful of cherry tomatoes in half. Add them to pan and a handful of whole ones too along with a tablespoon of thyme, cumin and a pinch of chilli flakes (don't go over board with them, this is a warming pie not a chance for you to prove to all your bros how much you "love really spicy food" you cretin). Finally the garlic, but keep an eye on it to be sure it doesn't burn. Allow the pan to continue to sweat for about 10 minutes.
Turn the heat right up and add the beef. Break it up thoroughly and brown it. As it browns add a sprinkle of smoked paprika and chilli powder for warmth and a pinch of the mixed spice for a fragrant sweetness. Sprinkle over a beef stock cube and continue to stir.
Once the meat is browned drain the beans and add them. I love borlotti beans and you could quite easily fool a kid you'd added a tin of baked beans to this. Chuck in the wine and tinned tomatoes and mix well. Turn the heat right down and put the lid back on and just let it simmer for 2 hours.
Peel the sweet potatoes and chop into chunks. Put them in a pan with boiling salted water and cook until soft. You need enough potatoes to cover the tin you're going to cook the pie in.
Grate about a quarter of a block of cheddar. Drain the potatoes once they're done. Add a large knob of butter and mash the potatoes mixing in about half of the cheese.
Preheat the oven to about 180 celcius (I can't remember what the gas mark is just google it). Spread the mince evenly in your oven dish and then cover with the mash. Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar over the top and put in the oven for half an hour.
Eat right away or you can portion it up and freeze it.
