Cottage Pie

This farmhouse favourite has been given a Slimming World makeover and tastes just as fab!  We really loved this. Next time I am cooking it for my parents. Cottage pie is one of my dad’s favorites. Wonderful cottage pie recipe.

About Time:

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
• Yield: Serves 4
• Slimming World: Free

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (about 450g): of floury potatoes, like Desiree or King Edward, roughly chopped
• 1 pound (about 450g): of swede, roughly chopped
• 1 beaten egg
• 3-4 tablespoons: of vegetable stock
• Low-calorie cooking spray
• 1 large onion: finely chopped
• 1.1 pounds (about 500g): of lean beef mince (with 5% fat or less)
• 14-ounce (about 400g) can: of chopped tomatoes
• 8.8 ounces (about 250g): of passata
• 4 teaspoons: of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon: of mustard powder
• 1 beef stock cube
• 3 carrots: cubed
• 1 teaspoon: of dried mixed herbs
• 7 ounces (about 200g): of green beans, trimmed
• 5.3 ounces (about 150g): of frozen peas

Instructions:

1. Boil the floury potatoes and swede for approximately 15 minutes or until they are tender.
2. Drain them, return them to the pan, and mix in half of the beaten egg. Mash the mixture, adding enough vegetable stock to achieve a soft consistency. Season lightly and keep it warm until needed.
   While the potatoes and swede are cooking, use a medium non-stick pan and apply a light coating of low-calorie cooking spray. Place it over low heat and add the finely chopped onion. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the onion has softened, stirring occasionally.
3. Increase the heat to medium, add the lean beef mince, and cook for approximately 5 minutes, or until it’s browned all over. Stir and break up any lumps as needed.
4. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, passata, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard powder. Crumble in the beef stock cube, add the cubed carrots and dried mixed herbs. Season lightly and mix everything well. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Preheat your grill to medium. Transfer the beef mince mixture to a medium-sized pie dish. Spoon the mashed potato and swede on top, giving it a rough texture with a fork. Brush the remaining beaten egg over the top. Grill for about 5 minutes or until it turns golden.
6. Simmer the green beans and frozen peas for 3-4 minutes, then drain. Divide the pie into 4 portions and serve with the green beans and peas on the side.