Cottage pie is another family favourite and a pretty quick dinner and always a good one to prepare in advance and just reheat after work. The only difference between cottage pie and shepherds pie is that shepherds pie is made with minced lamb and cottage pie is made with minced beef. Its a pretty economical dish and low in syns for slimming world but full of flavour when made this way.
For speed today I used a half a pack of frozen chopped mixed vegetables but if you want to just use chopped onions, carrots, celery, leeks whatever vegetables you like the more the merrier and it is a good way to get extra veg into your diet too.
I make my mashed potato this way to make it syn free but if you aren’t following the slimming world plan feel free to add butter or milk or whatever you usually add to it.
Ingredients:
1lb extra lean minced beef
1/2 bag frozen mixed vegetables (I used Aunt Bessie chopped mixed vegetables)
OR onions/ carrots/celery/leeks finely chopped.
1 tbsp plain flour
3/4 pint beef stock
dash of worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4-6 large potatoes (peeled and cut into pieces)
1/2 tub quark
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
spray oil.
Method:
Place the mince and vegetables in a pan and fry until meat is brown and the vegetables are soft. Sprinkle on the flour, mix well and cook for a few more minutes.
Add the beef stock, worcestershire sauce , salt and pepper and mix well then simmer for about 10 minutes until thickened and slightly reduced. Place in casserole dish.
Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are tender then drain and return to the pan. Add the quark and egg yolk and mash very well until smooth.
Spread the mashed potato over the top of the meat and vegetables then score lightly with a fork
There is no reason to do this but my Mum always did it so I always do it : )
Spray lightly with oil and bake in a medium/hot oven Gas6/200/400 for about 30 minutes until browned and serve with lots of vegetables I used tenderstem broccoli today.
Serves 4 and 1 syn per serving
Credit : http://vicki-kitchen.blogspot.com