James Martin has shared how to make the perfect cottage pie and you won’t regret giving this recipe a go.
A cottage pie is a perfect meal which you can easily make at home from scratch.
James said the best way to make your pie nice and crispy is to keep it in the same dish rather than transferring it for serving.
The chef said: “If you asked me for one dish aside from steak and chips that I’d be happy cooking for any big-name chef who ventures into my kitchen at home, this would be it.
“The key is in its simplicity: good-quality slow-cooked beef, fantastic mashed potato, cooked with care and attention, and fresh peas.
“Life just does not get any better. All chefs love the crispy edges, so don’t clean the dish before serving! Those are the best bits.”
Another tip is to try adding more Worcestershire sauce which can enhance the flavour of your meal.
For the perfect mash to top the pie, you should beat until it is smooth and creamy, then you should season with salt and pepper.
When putting all the elements together into a dish for baking, pour the cooled mince into a baking dish and spoon the hot mash over the top, fluffing the top with a fork.
James recommends adding a few dots of butter over the top before placing in the oven for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and piping hot.
Cottage pie is a British comfort food – it typically uses beef unlike shepherd’s pie which uses lamb.
But James isn’t the only one to share tips for the popular meal – Mary Berry has also created her own twist on the classic meal.
The former Bake Off judge and celebrity cook has given the humble recipe a fancy tweak by creating a dauphinoise potato topping.
Even with this adaptation, you can still make the meal in less than 90 minutes and by the end you’ll have an impressive crowd-pleasing dish to serve.
