Cottage pie, perfect mash & Stuffed peppers.

The easy, and traditional way to make cottage pie.

This is one of those dishes that cry out to be kept simple. Dishes that remind you of your childhood, and don't need "improving".

In the process, I'll show you how to make "perfect" mashed potato!

INGREDIENTS

400g minced meat of your choice,

3 large potatoes,

1 onion,

100g grated cheese,

3 or 4 knobs of butter,

fresh or sour cream,

Bisto, salt, pepper and olive oil.

STEPS

1)Peel and cut* the potatoes into largish chunks, then place in a pan of salted water, bring to the boil, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Peel and chop the onion, and gently fry in a lidded frying pan with a little oil and a pinch of salt. DO NOT add more than a pinch of salt. The salt will make the onions sweat, but the gravy will provide more than enough salt, so anything more than a pinch is too much.

*CUTTING POTATOES - When cutting potatoes for mashing, it is "recommended" that you break the potatoes rather than cut them. This involves cutting into the potato to about a third of its depth and then twisting the knife. The potato will making a cracking sound as a piece drops off. This way the potato releases more of its starch as it cooks.

Personally, I don't think it makes any difference at all, but what do I know?

2)While the potatoes boil and the onion fries, add boiling water to the gravy granules and stir well.

3)When the onions turn transparent, add the minced meat to the pan, and continue to fry until the meat is browned (about 5 min), at which point, you add the gravy, stir well and then apart it from the flame. Cover and allow to cool.

4)It's time to make the mash.

When the potatoes fall off a fork when pinched, they are ready to be mashed.

Drain the potatoes, add the butter, a spoonful of fresh or sour cream, the grated cheese, and a little pepper. There is no need to add salt! Then mash the potatoes, making sure that you leave no lumps.

You now have perfect mash.

Allow to cool.

5)Put a portion of minced minced meat into each of 3 individual baking dishes, or simply use one large baking dish. You should have plenty of minced meat left over. Store it in an air-tight container, and save for making the stuffed peppers.

Repeat the operation with the mashed potato, then place the dish/dishes into the centre of a preheated oven at 180c for 10-15 min, or into golden brown.

Stuffed peppers.

Assuming you have followed the instructions for making Cottage pie, this should be just about the easiest dish you will ever make, but certainly not the least tasty!

INGREDIENTS

3 red bell peppers (flat bottomed),

the mashed potato you saved,

the minced meat you saved,

100g grated cheese,

a little olive oil.

STEPS

1)Cut the tops off the peppers, remove the seeds and the white veins, then share, first the minced meat, then the mashed potato and finally the grated cheese, between the three peppers.

Place the top back onto the peppers, lightly oil them, and place them in the centre of a preheated oven at 180c for 45-50 minutes.