Cottage Pie – An Idiot’s Guide (hypothetically)
I’m not a cook, I never have been.
Personal attitude has always been that spending an hour knocking up a meal for 10-15minutes of eating, it just tends not to make sense.
I guess that’s why I’m a bit happier to try larger meals, ones that’ll last for the whole week (or at least the majority). I’ve never been that bothered about learning though, so it has been a bit of a slow development.
Today however was different. Unemployment, it turns out has benefits.
Whilst the job hunt never really developed today, the run down & mucus cough didn’t prevent me from (using the below instructions from the Joyce Bonney Cookbook) trying my hand at a spot of Cottage Pie. It wasn’t perfect, slightly too much water, but as a first go, I’m pleased with it.
So, here, using my Mother’s instructions is How to make Cottage Pie, an Idiot’s Guide.
Ingredients
- 500g of minced beef
- 3 x decent sized Potatoes
- 2 x Onions
- 2 x Oxo cubes
- Butter (personal preference for quantity)
- Cheddar Cheese (again, personal preference)
Potatoes
- Chop up potatoes, not necessarily peel, but cut out mouldy bits.
- Put in cold water in pan & simmer until potatoes are soft (approximately 30minutes).
- Tip away water and mash up with butter.
Onions
- Peel and chop the onions [Good God this stings] into thin slices.
- Throw away any manky looking bits.
- Fry in the oil until soft (approximately 5-10minutes). Try not to burn.
Mince
- Add the mince to the onions and fry until brown (approximately 10minutes).
- Add boiling water, enough to cover the mince & onions.
- Add Oxo Cubes (crumbled not whole).
- Simmer for 30-45minutes.
Post Cooking
- Put the mince/onions into a metal tray, smoothing it out.
- Add the mashed potato on top.
- Sprinkle gratted cheese on top.
- Put in the oven until cheese melts.
Conclusion
Over did the water covering the mince, so the gravy was a wee bit weak, but for a 1st attempt, I’m happy with it.
Next time, I’ll try to get the sacred Sausage Roll receipe! Next time!
Posted on 06/05/2014, in 2014. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.
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