Cottage Pie / Shepherd Pie

Ingredients
Cottage Pie use beef and Shepherd Pie use lamb
  • 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 onion , finely chopped
  • 1 carrot , finely chopped*
  • 1 celery , finely chopped*
  • 750g / 1.5 lb beef mince (ground beef)
  • 1/4 cup (40g) flour (plain / all purpose)
  • 1/4 cup (55g) tomato paste
  • 2 cups (500 ml) beef stock / broth , low sodium
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) red wine (or water)
  • 1 beef bouillon cube , crumbled (stock cube, or 1 tsp stock powder)
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme (or 3 sprigs fresh thyme)
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Topping

  • 1.2 kg / 2.5 lb potatoes , peeled and cut into 2.5cm / 1" cubes
  • 2/3 cup (165 ml) milk , warmed
  • 2 tbsp (30g) butter

Baked at 180 C for 30 mins 

Parmesan Crust (optional)

  • 2 tbsp (30g) butter
  • 2 tbsp (20g) parmesan, grated