A Family Favourite and Winter Warmer: Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash
A Family Favourite and Winter Warmer:
Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash
(Recipe)
A Family Favourite and Winter Warmer: Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash
I am a Scotty Brand Blogger – this means every few weeks I receive a lovely package of fresh fruit or vegetables, from spuds to strawberries and raspberries to carrots, I have been lucky enough the receive all of these beautifully fresh, Scottish locally grown produce. With my seasonal boxes I am asked to make a recipe with them; either one of the excellent recipes on Scotty Brand’s website, or one of my own creations. Last week I received six bags of potatoes – Kestrel potatoes – Kestrel potatoes are distinguishable by their beautiful blue-purple eyes and cream-coloured skin, with a long oval shape and smooth texture. Due to their great shape and creamy texture, they are exceptional boilers, bakers or roasters. Whether you roast, boil, wedge or mash them, our potatoes are the perfect addition to any balanced meal, and I decided to mash mine when I made a family favourite and a real winter warmer, my tried and tested recipe for Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash.
A Family Favourite and Winter Warmer: Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash (Recipe)
My Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash recipe contains a little secret – added veggies in the topping and a very Scottish way of serving spuds, swede. Mashed swede and potatoes are called “Clapshot” or “Neeps and Tatties” in Scotland, and I often make a batch to accompany a roast dinner; there are many variations and some recipes contain chives and turnip in place of swede, but, I prefer the taste of swede, as well as the bright cheery colour, so I added swede to my clapshot topping. The final comforting flourish is to add grated mature Cheddar cheese for that extra special topping……
Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash
Cottage pie, like its opposite lamb number, Shepherd’s pie, was the ingenious idea of housewives many years ago, in order to create another warm and comforting meal usually from the Sunday Lunch left-overs. Cooked beef or lamb were diced or shredded and sometimes the vegetables were added to the meat mixture – such as peas or carrots. This recipe uses raw minced beef, but you could use minced cooked beef if you wish, I have added it as an alternative. Try to use mature Farmhouse Cheddar cheese for the topping – a little goes a long way, as it is so strong in flavour. The cheese is very luxurious, but takes this simple and comforting pie to a higher taste level, in my humble opinion! Serve bubbling hot straight from the oven with steamed cabbage, carrots or any seasonal vegetables and a jug of gravy….although we love tinned peas with ours, it’s our guilty little pleasure!
Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash
My Scotty Brand Kestrel potatoes were brilliant when mashed, and made a light fluffy mash, even with the added steamed swede. I see this recipe being a GREAT meal to have between Christmas and New Year; with all that rich food, this will be a fabulous and homely (and simple) meal to make to feed the hungry hordes. Potatoes, apart from being tasty and filling, are also very nutritious, did you know……
* A boiled potato has the second highest concentrate of folic acid after bread. Folic acid boosts your immune system, as it supports the production of white blood cells.
* Despite the rumours, potatoes are actually a better source of potassium than bananas. A banana contains roughly 450mg, whereas a baked potato contains 750mg.
* Potassium protects you against heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease. It keeps your muscles strong and reduces tiredness.
* Potatoes contain no cholesterol, so are ideal for lowering high blood pressure.
* One medium potato supplies 30mg vitamin C — that’s nearly as much as in a whole glass of tomato juice.
* There are 93 calories in every 100g potatoes – a GREAT fact for all you 5:2 dieters out there!
A Family Favourite and Winter Warmer: Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash (Recipe)
I hope you enjoy my Scottish inspired Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash recipe, I am off to see my sister tomorrow before Christmas, but I will be around to answer all comments as well as offering some new giveaways, sharing some new 5:2 fast day recipes as well as many feasting recipes too! Have a wonderful Advent Sunday, the third one, only one week to go now………see you later, Karen
Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash (Recipe)
Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash
Print recipe
| Serves | 4 to 6 |
| Prep time | 30 minutes |
| Cook time | 1 hour |
| Total time | 1 hour, 30 minutes |
| Allergy | Milk |
| Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Freezable, Pre-preparable, Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Casual Party, Christmas, Formal Party, Halloween, Thanksgiving |
| Region | British |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
pie
- 600g lean ground beef or 600g cooked beef, shredded
- 2 onions, peeled and diced
- 25g butter or 25g beef/bacon dripping
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs or 1 -2 tablespoon fresh mixed herbs, chopped
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 tablespoon tomato puree
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 250ml beef stock ( OR 250 ml red wine mixed with 2 teaspoons sugar)
- salt and pepper to taste
topping
- 1 kg potatoes, peeled and cut into small even sized pieces (I used Scotty Brand Kestrel potatoes)
- 1 small swede, peeled and cut into small even sized pieces
- 50g butter
- 2 - 4 tablespoons milk
- 100g mature farmhouse cheddar cheese, grated
- salt and pepper to taste
Note
Cottage pie, like its opposite lamb number, Shepherd's pie, was the ingenious idea of housewives many years ago, in order to create another warm and comforting meal usually from the Sunday Lunch left-overs! Cooked beef or lamb were diced or shredded and sometimes the vegetables were added to the meat mixture - such as peas or carrots. My cottage pie recipe uses swede with the mashed potato topping for an extra "secret" five-a-day veggie added to the meal!
Directions
| Step 1 | To make the pie filling: Fry the onions in the butter or beef dripping until they are soft. Add the minced/chopped beef and cook for about 10 to 20 minutes or until the onions have browned and the minced beef has taken on some colour and is firm. (It also depends if you are using cooked or raw minced beef.). |
| Step 2 | Season well with salt and pepper, then add the mixed herbs. Stir in the flour, and mix well. Mix the tomato purée and Worcestershire sauce with the stock and add it to the meat mixture, bringing it all to simmering point. Simmer until the stock has reduced by about a third, add the peas if using and take off the heat. Set aside whilst you make the topping. |
| Step 3 | To make the topping: Boil the potatoes and swede in slightly salted water then mash them well, adding half of the butter and all of the milk gradually. Season to taste. |
| Step 4 | Assemble and Bake: Put the meat mixture into a large and deep well greased baking dish and spread the potato and swede mixture on top; then sprinkle with the grated cheese. You can also use 4 - 6 smaller pie dishes if you wish. Put into a pre-heated oven, 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6 for about 25 to 30 minutes until the topping is crusty, golden and bubbling. Serve with an assortment of fresh seasonal vegetables and a jug of gravy. |
Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash (Recipe)
Traditional Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash (Recipe)
MrsNumbles says
There’s a reason why dishes like these are called “comfort food”. Perfect for a cold winter evening….and how can you go wrong with anything that has potatoes and cheese?
Dominic says
fabulous!… swede is a favourite in this house as it just sweetens up everything, I love that you’re never quite sure about swede until you have that first mouthful and you remember just how damn fine it is… love your pie, it’s a stunner… I would serve this with tinned mushy peas!
Laura Loves Cakes says
This is one of my favourite winter warmers…especially with cheesy mash…I may in fact make this at the weekend…I’ve got a craving now! 😉
Camilla @Fabfood4all says
Oh this dish just drew me in like a Bisto kid! This is just my kind of food but sadly my kids don’t like Shepherds Pie, maybe the Cheesy Mash in this would tempt them:-)
Karen Booth says
Thanks Camilla! I have to say that I have never heard of kids not liking cottage pie, but maybe you could tempt them with some cheesy mash as you say! Karen
Ashleigh says
This looks great – a lovely family tea!
Karen Booth says
Thanks! Karen
Alan C says
I love cottage pie. Sometimes we put other veg like carrots, peas and sweetcorn in with the mince so that we don’t have to cook it seperately
Karen Booth says
A favourite of ours too and always with hidden veggies!
Sarah Davies says
I haven’t made cottage pie for a long time, but the combination of seeing your recipe and the snow falling outside has made me want to make it this week.
Fiona Matters says
Looks absolutely gorgeous! I love the colour of your mash and adding swede is a great idea.
Tracie Wight says
just seen this , such a lovely comforting dish. cant wait yo try it out for myself
Alison Wakefield says
Like the look of that and think I will give that a try this week hubby will love it.
aj says
these dishes look gorgeous thankyou for sharing.
Sue Tyler says
I’ve never tried adding cheese to the potato but think I will try it next time.
A good alternative for worcester sauce is Reggae Reggae sauce..just a hint of spicyness!
Kim Neville says
This looks delicious. It’s a favourite of all the family
Julie Davies says
Will have to try this – the ultimate comfort food
Sue Bowden says
Lovely food – proper grub
Beverley says
Never thought of cheesy mash with it – sounds nice!
Lia Simpson says
A true comfort food.
roma says
I remember making this for a husband whose wife was in labour, i’d left a note to say this was in the oven, he told me next day it reminded him of his mums cottage pie….. only better, now that was a compliment, always been a favourite in our house, my mum made it, i made for my children and now for my grandchildren….. a really good hearty meal. Love all your recipes have just made your baps!!! fabulous
Karen Booth says
What a FABULOUS story and such a lovely memory too! Thanks for sharing that with me, I love tales like this!
Fiona Matters says
Cottage pie is one of my utterly favorite winter warmers. Just love it. With loads of veggies.
Lisa Williams says
This looks great nothing better than a cheese crust 🙂
Lisa Williams says
I have to say that the cheese makes so much of a difference this tasted amazing 🙂
Maya Russell says
A good family recipe – just make sure you get good quality, farm assured beef.
Lisa Pope says
This looks so tasty, cottage pie is a familiy favourite here too, I’ll have to try it with a cheesy topping now!
Tracy Nixon says
Lovely recipe thank you!
Beverley says
Looking for something for tonight – perfect!
Herbert Appleby says
what a great idea to put cheese in the mash of a cottage pie!
Tracy Nixon says
Very tasty – one of my favourites – thank you!
Anne McCutcheon says
Looks tasty, just what you need on a cold Winter’s night.
tina edwards says
mmm looks delicious ive never made it with cheesy mash, i usually use sweet potatoe mash but might give this a try