An English classic, cottage pie is a hearty and warming meal to try during the winter. A savory beef filling is covered with fluffy mashed potatoes, parmesan cheese, and olive oil before being baked to a golden crust. Differing from a Shepherd’s pie in that beef is the base of the filling instead of lamb, this combination is sure to be a crowd pleaser for whoever tries a serving.
Makes 8 servings
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Ingredients for filling:
*1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
*1 onion, finely chopped
*3 cloves of garlic, minced
*1 1/2 celery stalks, finely chopped
*1 1/2 carrots, finely chopped
*1 1/5 lbs ground beef
*1/4 cup flour
*3 tablespoons tomato paste
*2 cups beef stock
*1/2 cup red wine
*1 teaspoon better than beef bullion
*1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
*1 teaspoon thyme
*2 bay leaves
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon pepper
Ingredients for mashed potatoes:
*3 pounds potatoes, cut into small chunks
*1/4 cup salted butter
*1/4 cup cream + 3/4 cup water
*salt, to taste
*pepper, to taste
*1/4 cup of parmesan
*2 tablespoons of olive oil
Preparation of filling:
*Heat oil in a skillet on medium high heat. Add garlic and onion and cook for 1 minute. Next, add celery and carrots and cook for 4 minutes.
*Turn up heat to high. Add beef and brown, breaking it up as you cook. About 7 minutes.
*Sprinkle in flour and mix. Stir in broth, red wine, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bouillon cube, thyme, bay leaves, and salt and pepper.
*Bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to around medium so it is simmering rapidly. *Cook for 30 minutes, stirring periodically, until mixture reduces down and almost all of the liquid is absorbed. Taste, add more salt if wanted.
*Spoon mixture into a pie dish and cool. (overnight preferable)
Preparation of Pie:
*Place potatoes in a pot of cold salted water.
*Bring to a boil and cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain well.
*Place potatoes back into the hot pot and let them steam off any remaining water for 2 minutes.
*Preheat oven to 350F.
*Heat cream and water mixture in the microwave until warm to the touch.
*Add butter and mash the potatoes, then slowly add in cream mixture and keep mashing until smooth.
*Add salt and pepper to taste. *Spread potatoes over the beef mixture in the pie dish. Sprinkle with parmesan and drizzle with olive oil.
*Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbling at the edges.
*Let stand for 5 minutes before serving, then enjoy!
Recipe Creator - Alina Gersib