Granny's Cottage Pie

Step 1: Prepare Potatoes for Mash

Cut potatoes into 2-3 cm pieces and place them into a pan. Cover the potatoes with cold water, ensuring the water level is about 2.5 cm above the potatoes. Add a little salt.

Step 2: Cook Potatoes

Place the pan on high heat until the water starts to simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat and cook with the lid slightly tilted for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.

Step 3: Brown the Beef Mince

While potatoes cook, add Coles 3-star beef mince to a hot pan. Allow it to caramelize on the bottom for a beautiful browning before stirring. This caramelization will add a beautiful sweetness to the dish. Stir the beef over to brown evenly.

Step 4: Sauté Vegetables

Remove the browned beef from the pan, leaving a little of the beef fat behind. Add chopped onions to the pan and sauté, allowing the flavor to develop. Then, add diced carrots and celery, cooking for a couple of minutes. Finally, add finely crushed garlic and stir.

Step 5: Build the Beef Filling Base

Add two tablespoons of tomato paste to the sautéed vegetables and roast it out for about a minute. Incorporate a little flour to help bind and thicken the sauce. Pour in two cups of salt-reduced beef stock. Cover the pan with a lid to bring the mixture to a boil faster, capturing the steam to speed up the process.

Step 6: Combine Beef and Season

Once the beef mixture is bubbling, add the browned beef mince back into the pan. Let it simmer, then season with a little salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Step 7: Prepare Mashed Potatoes

Drain the water off the cooked potatoes. Place the strainer with the potatoes back over the hot pan (or a warm surface) to allow the steam to dry out the potatoes, which will result in a creamier mash. Tip the dried potatoes back into the warm pot. Mash the potatoes, adding a little milk and a little salt, until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.

Step 8: Assemble the Cottage Pie

Push the beef and vegetable mixture down the sides of the pan to create an even layer. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the beef filling in small pieces, ensuring the entire surface is covered. Use a spatula to smooth out the mash. For extra crispy bits, use a smaller spatula or spoon to dig into the mash, creating peaks.

Step 9: Grill to Perfection

Brush the top of the mashed potatoes with a little melted butter. Place the cottage pie under the grill for approximately 6 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and slightly crispy.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Carefully remove the hot cottage pie from the grill. Serve a portion onto a plate and enjoy your delicious Granny's Cottage Pie.

• Allow the mince to caramelize on the bottom of the pan before stirring for a richer flavor.

• Use the beef fat left in the pan to sauté the vegetables, enhancing the overall taste.

• Dry the potatoes after draining by placing them back over the hot pan to achieve a really creamy mash.

• Dig into the mashed potato topping with a spoon or spatula before grilling to create crispy peaks.