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    Monday, October 14, 2019

    Cottage Pies with a Difference

    Normally when one makes a Cottage Pie it's normal to top with Mashed Potato
    Here's two different toppings to try
    For the kids...Little Fried Potato Pom Poms and for the others
    Mashed Pumpkin and Kumera (Sweet Potato)
    I used a packet of mushroom soup to thicken and give the mince some extra flavour
    Both were delicious
    You may wonder why the cheese hasn't melted as normal
    It is Pecorino... which does melt that well
    Covering for a member of family who is having a break from Cow Dairy
    Using normal cheddar cheese would be quite different
    This amount made enough for 2 oval x 5 cup casserole dishes

    750 gms of beef mince
    1 tbs rice bran oil
    Sea Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    1 large onion peeled and chopped
    2 cloves garlic finely chopped
    250 gms mushrooms sliced
    1 packet Mushroom soup
    Water
    Good dash of Tomato Ketchup

    For the Topping
    Packet Potato Pom Poms
    1 sweet potato (Kumera)
    1 piece of pumpkin about 400 gms
    Knob of butter
    Chives
    Cheddar Cheese grated (about 200 gms)

    Heat a large frying pan medium
    Add oil then add the mince
    you will have to do this in more than one batch
    Season with Sea Salt and Freshly ground black pepper
    Fry till brown, remove and set aside

    When the mince is cooked add a little more oil
    Turn up the heat a bit
    Throw in the mushrooms
    Season with S & P
    Toss them around till they start to brown
    Remove and add to mince
    Turn the heat down again
    Time for the onion and garlic
    Add to pan toss and cook till tender

    Return the mince and mushrooms to the pan
    Toss well
    Add the mushroom soup mix and stir till blended

    Add 1 cup of water
    Stir well and cook till it thickens
    You may need to add more water

    Let it simmer away for 15-20 mins
    checking frequently so it doesn't stick
    When it is ready
    Toss in a good dollop of ketchup
    Transfer to the casserole dish
    Meanwhile while the mince is cooking
    Peel and dice the Kumera and the Pumpkin
    Cook in salted water until tender

    Mash with a good knob of butter
    Taste and add extra S & P if needed
    Add handful of chopped chives
    Bake at 180C about 20-25 minutes
    Sprinkle with some extra chives a some sea salt
    With the other dish cover with Potato Pom Poms
    Sprinkle over with Cheese
    Bake at 180C till cheese melted and the mince bubbling
    Garnish with chives and serve

    Dinner is served





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