Cottage Pie-Simply the Best

• cooking oil1 1⁄2 tablespoons
• onions↗2

  finely chopped

• garlic↗1 teaspoon

  optional

• large carrot↗1

  diced

• mushrooms↗4 ounces

  diced

• lean ground beef↗1 1⁄2 lbs
• beef stock↗1⁄2 pint
• Worcestershire sauce↗2 -3 teaspoons
• tomato puree↗1 tablespoon
• bay leaf↗1

  Dried

• provance herbs↗1 teaspoon
• mashed potatoes1 1⁄2 lbs
• parsley↗1 tablespoon

  chopped

• milk2 tblspoons
• pepper↗
• salt↗

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Heat oil in a medium saucepan; add the diced onion, carrot, garlic and mushrooms, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes.

2. 2

   Add beef to pan and cook stirring with a fork until sealed and brown.

3. 3

   Add the stock, bay leaf, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf salt and pepper.

4. 4

   Simmer gently for half an hour, reducing liquid and thicken if necessary. Place in ovenproof pie dish and allow to cool.

5. 5

   Cook potato, with the 1 diced onion. When cooked, mash the potato, adding the milk, parsley, pepper and salt to taste.

6. 6

   Spread the mash evenly over the meat.

7. 7

   Place in hot (200c) oven for approximately 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

8. 8

   Serve with other cooked vegetables.

9. 9

   Note: for a nice variation, you can add some grated cheese to the mash, stir in well and proceed as usual.