Pip and Pear Recipe - Cottage Pie

A Pipin Pear Recipe

Perfect for the whole family!

Ingredients

Sometimes organising a dinner that everyone can eat can be challenging, let alone when you bring a baby into the mix!

This is an excellent (and tasty!) recipe and is one the whole family will enjoy, especially baby!!

We go through the steps of making a delicious Cottage Pie, and most importantly, how we can factor in your little one!

Serves a family of 4 with extra portions for your little foodie.

1tbsp of rapeseed oil
700g beef mince
1 onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 celery sticks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1.5 tbsp. gluten free flour
1 tbsp. tomato purée
425ml beef stock (low salt) or chicken stock
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Few thyme sprigs
2 bay leaves

Mash

900g potatoes, peeled & chopped
115ml milk
15g butter
100g strong cheddar, grated
Freshly grated nutmeg

method

Step 1

Weigh out all ingredients and dice vegetables into small chunks.

Step 2

Heat a large pan and fry the mince until browned. Put oil into the pan, add the vegetables and cook on a gentle heat until soft for about 20 minutes.

Step 3

Add the garlic, flour and tomato purée, increase the heat and cook for a few minutes, then return the beef to the pan and add the stock, Worcestershire sauce and herbs.

Step 4

Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes. By this time the sauce should be thick and coating the meat.

Step 5

Check after about 30 minutes – if a lot of liquid remains, increase the heat slightly to reduce the sauce a little more. Remove the bay leaves and thyme stalks.

Step 6

Meanwhile, make the mash. Using a steamer over boiling water (or a pan with just enough water to cover potatoes) cover and cook for approx. 15 -20 minutes.

Step 7

Mash well with the milk, butter, and three-quarters of the cheese, then season with the nutmeg.

At this point take out the amount for baby and blend for a few seconds to give it a slightly softer texture. You can add potato after.

Step 8

Spoon the rest of the meat into ovenproof dishes, leave meat to cool as this stops potato sinking when spread on top. Preheat your oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.

Step 9

Pipe or spoon on the mash to cover and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Step 10

Put in the oven to cook for 25 to 30 mins, or until golden.

Enjoy!