Aoife’s Shepherd’s Pie

Serves 2 (each serving contains approx 465 kcal)

INGREDIENTS

1 onion

2 carrots

2 celery sticks

2 garlic cloves

20g butter

200g lean steak mince

1 tbsp plain our (15g)

½ tbsp tomato puree (7g)

½ chicken stock cube (reduced salt) 250ml boiling water

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (15g)

100g frozen peas

300g oury potatoes (Rooster or Maris Piper) 25ml low fat milk (1.5% fat)

50g sugar snap peas

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

1. Using a small sharp knife, cut the onion in half and peel o the skin, then put each half on a chopping board and cut into slices, keeping the root intact. Then make 2 horizontal cuts one above the other and nally, chop down across the width of the onion. Peel the carrots and cut into dice with the celery. Peel the garlic and use a garlic crusher or grate on the ne side of a box grater.

2. Heat a frying pan over a medium heat. Add half of the butter and once it is melted, tip in the onion, carrots, celery and garlic, stirring to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.

3. Add the steak mince to the pan and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally and breaking up any lumps with a wooden spoon. Stir in the our and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Then stir in the tomato puree and allow to cook out for a further minute. Dissolve the chicken stock cube in the boiling water and pour into the mince mixture with the Worcestershire sauce, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer and then cook for 10 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in the frozen peas and place in a small ovenproof dish. Set aside to allow a skin to form. This will make it easier to spread the potatoes in an even layer on top.

4. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (350°F, gas mark 4). Peel and dice the potatoes. Place in a saucepan half lled with water over a medium heat and add a pinch of salt, if using. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until tender. Tip into a bowl and mash with a potato masher until smooth. Season with plenty of freshly ground black pepper, then beat in the rest of the butter with the milk. Spoon the mash on top of the mince, starting with dollops around the edges and nishing with the middle. Spread around with a table knife until you have a nice even layer and then bake for 30-40 minutes until bubbling and golden brown.

5. About 5 minutes before the pie is due to come out of the oven, put a saucepan half lled with water, tted with a petal steamer, over a medium heat. Add the sugar snap peas and cook for 1-2 minutes until just tender. Drain and arrange on plates with the Shepherd’s pie to serve.