We have been extremely lucky to have mild weather since the start of the winter. 11° C on Christmas is nothing short of a miracle. Alas, as we all now know, good things don't last. The cold snap has descended and I'm feeling the cold right to my bones.
When it comes to winter warmers, I turn to good old English favourite recipes. They know their stuff when it comes to these things, owing to experience. One of my favourite English recipe is cottage pie. Cottage pie is practically the same as shepherd's pie except the meat used is minced beef instead of minced lamb. A change of the meat used switches this recipe from one to the other. The leftovers of the Sunday roast used to be made into this dish.
All of the aspects of this dish spells comfort. The tasty sautéed minced beef filling in a rich gravy topped with creamy mashed potato makes it an easy dish to like. There is something about the simplicity and texture of the dish that almost makes it a nursery food. It is a meal in itself, the perfect meal to eat, fork-to-mouth style on one's lap preferrably next to a crackling fire or not having that, just a toasty radiator. It is pure bliss after coming in from the cold. It will, as they say, warm the cockles of your heart.
Ingredients:
2 tbsps. olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 onion, chopped
100 gms. cubed pancetta or bacon lardons
500 gms. of minced beef
2 medium carrots, diced
1 tsp. paprika
100 gms. chestnut mushrooms, diced
2 tbsps. worcestershire sauce
1 c. beef stock or 1 c. water plus 1 beef stock cube
2 tbsps. sherry (optional)
1 stick celery
1 tsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 tsps. corn flour dispersed in 1/4 c. water
1/2 c. of grated cheddar cheese
chopped chives
Heat up a sauté pan and add in the olive oil and garlic. Sauté on low heat for about 2 minutes, then add the onions. Cook on low heat, stirring occasionally until the onions start to colour.
Next add in the pancetta or bacon, beef, carrots and paprika. Cook this mixture on high heat until it exudes oil and the beef is browned but not dry.

Prepare the mashed potato topping while the filling is cooking.
If the sauce has dried up, you can add a bit of water to make a gravy. Add in the corn flour slurry while stirring. Simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce is thick.
Transfer to an oven proof dish or divide between 4 individual dishes. Top with the mashed potatoes, starting to fill the sides of the dish and scraping against the sides to make it stick to the edges. Level the top and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the top is browned.
Garnish with chopped chives before serving.
Ingredients for the mashed potato topping:
1 kg. of floury potatoes such as Maris Piper, King Edward or Desirée
1 tsp. salt
1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. evaporated milk
1/2 tsp salt
Peel the potatoes and and cut into rough chunks. Put them in a pot or pan and cover with water. Add the 1 tsp. salt and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until cooked.
Drain and mash the potatoes (or pass through a ricer). Mix in the butter, milk and 1/2 tsp. salt.
Use to top the minced beef filling.
All rights reserved ©Adora's Box Copyright 2011.
Please support Adora's Box by making your Amazon.com and mymemories.com (use the code STMMMS55174) purchases from this site. Click on their respective banners to proceed to their websites. It will not cost you a single cent more but will help sustain this blog. Thank you.
You might also like
![]() |
Open Beef and Mushroom Pies |
![]() |
Arroz ala Cubana |
![]() |
Corned Beef and Cabbage Patties |
Hi Adora
ReplyDeleteYour cottage pie looks very inviting and I can assure you to those who come visiting to your blog right now will be drooling looking at it. And your pics are so beautifuuly taken too. I loves all pies be it sweet or savoury.
Hi and thanks , Mel. Snowing here. We badly need comfort food like this.
DeleteMade the Cottage Pie for a cold rainy night in NYC - Perfect!!! it took me back to my favorite pub near Bath.... Thank You so MUCH!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, David. Glad you liked it.
DeleteMinus -22 Celcius this morning (Ottawa, Canada). Will make this tonight as we need warm up, comfort food. Thanks for posting the recipe! Looks delicious and your photography is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment, Tricia. It's snowing here today but not as cold as where you are. Keep warm.
DeleteThanks for sharing the article...You write very well...If you need backlinks please reach me on genuinehotelescorts@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteCall Girls in Jaipur
Call Girls in Jaipur
Call Girls in Jaipur
Call Girls in Delhi
Call Girls in Guwahati
Call Girls in Guwahati
Call Girls in Guwahati
Call Girls in Guwahati
Call Girls in Aerocity
Call Girls in Lucknow