Bloody Delicious Cottage Pie
Our winemaker Hadyn, isn't just a wiz in the winery, he's also a pretty damn good cook! Try his recipe for a winter warmer cottage pie, it's super easy and pairs perfectly with our L'Amante Nebbiolo.
Ingredients:
- 500g beef or lamb mince
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 4 spring onions, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups red wine
- 1 teaspoon oregano (fresh or dry)
- 1 teaspoon rosemary (fresh or dry)
- 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tablespoon seeded mustard
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Dash of milk
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 beef stock cube
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated cheese (cheddar or any other melting cheese)
Step 1. Select the red wine you're going to use in the recipe. This is the most important bit because you're going to drink it too, pour a glass and enjoy whilst your cooking. Hadyn's number one top tip when cooking with wine, always cook with something you would drink. Never cook with a wine you wouldn't drink!
Step 2. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and start preparing your ingredients... finely slice the celery, spring onion and carrots (you can add garlic and brown onion if you like, I made this for a sensitive stomach so left them out)
Step 3. In a large pan over medium heat, add a good slurp of olive oil and cook the veg until it is soft. \
Step 4. Add the beef mince and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Then chuck in the herbs, fresh is best but not always practical.
Step 5. Add a good slug of red wine, a cup or so, when that simmers down add a tablespoon of flour, beef stock cube (dry and crumbled) and peas. Give it a good stir and turn the heat down.
Step 6. Chop and boil spuds. When they're soft, drain, add butter a dash of milk and a spoonful of seeded mustard and mash em.
Step 7. Grate a good handful or two of cheese
Step 8. When the meat mix has cooked down, have a taste and add salt and pepper if you think it needs it. Pour mix into a baking dish, spread the mash on top, sprinkle cheese and chuck it in the oven until golden brown.
Step 9. You can serve the cottage pie with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad or simply enjoy it with the leftover wine!