Individual Crofter's Pie

Prep Time: 0:30
Cook Time: 0:30
Makes: 4

Ingredients / Shopping List

300g minced beef

1 large onion

100g bacon lardons

2 tblsp cooking oil

100ml water plus 150ml red wine

1 beef stock cube

I tsp Gravy salt

1 tablespoon brown sauce

Ground black pepper

1.5kg potatoes

60g butter

1 tblsp milk

 

Tsp salt

100g tasty cheddar cheese

Prep to Cook:  Get out ingredients and a frying pan, long handled spoon, peeler, plate, Pan and lid, colander, potato masher, grater, vegetable knife, chopping board

Prep:   1.  Prep the meat:

Use a large deep frying or stir fry pan with a lid.

Peel, chop and fry off the onion with the bacon lardons in the cooking oil

When they show hints of browning add in the mince and mix well.

Make up some beef stock with the cube and water, stir in the brown sauce.

Add wine and stock to the meat mixture and stir thoroughly

Season with black pepper, then stir in gravy salt to deepen the colour.

Cover the pan with a lid.

Simmer this rich brown meat for 25 minutes stirring gently to prevent sticking.

Add more stock if the mixture goes dry.  It needs to be juicy.

2.  Prep the potato topping:

Peel and chop the potatoes into quarters or halves if smaller potatoes are used

Cover in water and add a teaspoon of salt

Bring to the boil on a high heat and turn down to simmer for 20 minutes.

Alternately you can cook the potatoes in the microwave on high for 6 mins

Allow to stand for 2 mins and finish with a further 4 mins on high.

Test the potatoes with a fork to see if they are tender.

Drain through a colander or sieve and return to the pan

Add the butter, a pinch of salt and mash until really smooth.

Add a little milk if the potato mash seems dry.

3.  Prep the pies:

Create the individual crofter pies

In 4 individual oven-proof dishes spoon the meaty mixture to make a layer

Spoon the soft mash over the meat to pile up in the dish

Use a fork to peak up the mash.

Grate the cheese and pile over the potato peaks

Place in a hot oven Gas 6 or Electric 200ºC for 20 minutes until golden ( or grill to brown)

Check it out!

Individual crofters pies are best made in advance – get the cooking done and cleared then serve up the golden topped pies for a relaxing fork supper. Winter or spring these make healthy meals that can be reheated when you need them.

Recipe Science

Cooks Know How:   You will have a proud feeling when you have tried this recipe.  You will multi-task as you prep the meaty layer at the same time as the topping.  ( Alternately, you might be using up excess mash from another evening!)  You will be more confident in making judgements as to whether the potatoes are cooked.  You skills in mashing will be improved and you will see how much better the mash flavour is when you use seasonings and add a little butter.  You will recognise how the flavours in meat develop during cooking and that adding lardons or streaky bacon also adds saltiness. You will show style as you present these individual layered potato topped pies.