Another Cottage Pie!

I don't want to give That Woman more space on my blog, but it is still hanging in the back of my mind! Hmmmm. Also, to my horror, someone I know made her shepherds pie, and boasted about it. Oh well, I guess we all have our cross to bare, and mine is feeling the need to watch Her every week and verbally beat her with a potato masher. In a very mature way, obviously :)

I decided on Sunday to make a Cottage Pie, it has been years, but I was convinced it wasn't the hardest thing in the world to make, therefore requiring numerous cheats. I prefer mashed swede to potatoes, so here is my recipe (and no, I am not some moron on Atkins!). It did take about 30 mins to chop, stir and assemble, but there as enough for 4 hearty portions, and if I had made 8 portions, it would have taken 4o mins. The extra portions freeze fine, so there is a nice "cheat" for a quick meal during the week ;)

Why do we need another Cottage Pie recipe? Well, the answer is, we don't! But it's mine, and I like it :)

Ingredients -
1 Large Swede
2 Carrots
2 Sticks of Celery
1 Large onion
5 Cloves of Garlic - Finely chopped
500g Lean Minced Beef
1 Tin of Chopped tomatoes
1/4 Pint of Beef stock
1 Tbs Tomato Puree
1 tbs of Creamed Horseradish
Olive Oil
1oz Butter
Salt & Pepper
Herbs of your choice (i have some dried mixed herbs from Provence - they work well, despite the 1970's authenticity)

1. Peel the swede, chop into chucks, pop into a saucepan of boiling water, bring back to the boil and then simmer.
2. Chop the carrot, celery and onion into very small cubes.
3. Heat 1 tbs of Olive oil and add the carrots, onion & celery, stir very well and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for about 5mins until soft.
4. Add the copped garlic and mix well, and then the beef. As you stir in the beef, use a fork to you can break down the lumps of meat
5. Once the meat is all brown add your stock, tin of toms, herbs and tomato puree, mix very well. Add a pinch of salt and a good grind of black pepper. Simmer for 30 mins, stirring occasionally.
6. This should have taken about 20 mins, so see if Swede is done... if not leave for another 5 mins. When soft drain and mash with the butter, horseradish, and season with salt and pepper.
7. When the meat is ready, you know what to do.... pour the mince into an ovenproof dish and top with the swede, put this in the oven for 30 mins - and you are ready to serve :)

If you prefer a veggie option, Quorn Mince works really well in this, but watch the moisture, before adding the to the casserole dish you make need to spoon off excess liquid.