Cottage Pie using up left over brisket

Let's start with the difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd's Pie.  Many people make no distinction between the two, and interchange the names at will.  The important difference is in the meat - the name gives it away - Shepherd's Pie is made with Lamb, Cottage Pie is made with beef.  Simples


Cooked brisket
1 onion diced
1 or 2 carrots
2 - 3 mushrooms sliced (optional)
Knob of flora
A tablespoon of frozen peas
Stock cube or gravy granules
1 tablespoon flour or cornflour
15 fl oz boiling water
Tomato ketchup
salt & pepper to taste


Potatoes

If you don't have any left over brisket then just use minced beef.  Brown it in a frying pan and then drain off the fat by putting it into a sieve - place the sieve over a basin, or the packaging the mince came in, to drain.  When it has stopped dripping (leave at least 15 minutes) put it back into the pan and continue the recipe. 

Do NOT let the fat drain into the sink as it will clog the drainage pipes requiring expensive remedial action and that will incur the loss of the deposit you paid for your room.

• Peel and cut the potatoes into small pieces, then put them into a pan of cold water, add salt if you wish. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 0 20 minutes, until a knife inserted into a potato meets no resistance.
• Either mince or chop the meat into very small pieces.  
• Dice the onion and the carrots
• Melt the flora in a medium sized pan, add the onions and fry until translucent.
• Add the meat and mushrooms (if using), stir to mix together well
• Sprinkle flour over the mixture and cook for a minute, then add water and stock cube/gravy granules stirring all the time.  If the mixture is too thick add more water
• Squeeze in about 1 tablespoon of tomato ketchup then add the carrots & peas and stir in.
• Add salt and pepper to taste
• Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat, put a lid on the pan and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes.
• When the potatoes are ready, drain the water off and mash. 
• Add a knob of flora and some milk, but just a little at a time and stir in.  This will help to make the potatoes creamy and sufficiently pliable to move on top of the liquid filling.
• Put the meat mixture into a pie dish
• Add the mashed potatoes and spread out over the meat mixture with a fork.
• Put in the oven at 200 deg gas mark 7  for 25 mins or until golden brown on top. 

If you  want to you can grate some cheese over the top of the potatoes