We create our greatest meals not for money, or fame but for love! I am not talking about dinner party wow factor meals I am talking about suppers! The meal time whose purpose is to do so much more than just feed – supper is about a happy space at the end of the day, it’s about comfort and love. By example, Benjamin is my nephew, he inspires so much of the food I create. For him I want it to be healthy and natural, for his love of good food I want it to be tasty, for his mom to be able to reproduce it quickly and easily I want it to be simple and because of him you all get such great healthy quick easy recipes!
Take this cottage pie for example, will it change the world? Unlikely! Will it make my nephew smile? Definitely! So in my book that makes this a great meal created not with strange ingredients or foreign spices but simply with good ingredients and the magic of a 20-month old going “Wow!” every time you add anything to the pan and clapping when the bright yellow bowl is presented to him!
Grass Fed Beef Cottage Pie
Serves 4
– 400gms grass fed beef mince
– 4 tbsp olive oil
– 2 red onions
– 100mls beef/veg stock
– 6 carrots
– 120gms frozen peas
– 1 can organic plum tomatoes
– salt & pepper
– 2 bay leaf, whole
– 1 small sprig rosemary, whole
– 1 tsp finely chopped parsley
– 1 egg beaten, for egg wash
– 4-6 medium to large potatoes
Preheat the oven to 180°C. To start peel the potatoes and boil them in a large pot of salted water. If you are in a hurry cut larger potatoes into smaller chunks. Whilst the potatoes are boiling heat the olive oil in heavy based pan. Now add the meat to the pan, spreading it around, don’t stir it allow it to sit and caramelize before turning the meat. Using your wooden spoon break the meat into smaller pieces, once the meat has browned add the onions and allow them to cook till just softening.
Now add the stock and allow it to reduce a bit before adding the cut up vegetables (excluding the peas), herbs and the tomatoes. Allow to cook for 15-20 minutes till done, then stir in the peas. While the meat is cooking prepare your mash potatoes!
To assemble spoon the meat into individual dishes, it should be thick and moist but not wet. Now spoon your mashed potato over the top, before brushing it with some beaten egg. Bake in the middle tray of the oven until golden brown and bubbling.