[BritParrothead]

Dinner tonight is:

This variation on the classic shepherd’s pie has a layered topping of potato and cream instead of mash. You can prepare up to the end of step 5 and freeze for up to 2 months

Ingredients
900g (2lb) raw minced lamb
2 onions, chopped
2 large carrots, finely diced
45g (11/2oz) plain flour
300ml (10fl oz) red wine
300ml (10fl oz) beef stock
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp tomato purée
dash of gravy browning (optional)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the topping
900g (2lb) old King Edward potatoes or other floury potatoes, cut into 3mm (1/8in) slices
150ml (5fl oz) double cream
75g (21/2oz) mature Cheddar cheese, grated
Method
1 Preheat the oven to 160˚C (140˚C fan/325˚F/Gas 3). Meanwhile, put the lamb, onions, and carrots into a deep frying pan or casserole and fry over a high heat, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until the meat is brown. Drain away any fat.
2 Stir in the flour and, over a high heat, add the wine, stock, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato purée (add the gravy browning, too, if you want the sauce to be a rich dark colour). Stir until blended, then bring to the boil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, cover with a lid, and transfer to the oven for 1–11⁄2 hours or until the mince is tender.
3 Check the seasoning, then tip the meat into the ovenproof dish(es) and set aside to cool. Increase the oven temperature to 220˚C (200˚C fan/425˚F/Gas 7).
4 Put the potatoes in a pan of boiling salted water for 4–5 minutes to blanch them. Drain, refresh in cold water, and dry well with kitchen paper.
5 Arrange a layer of potato on top of the cold mince, then pour over half the cream and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange the remaining potatoes on top, pour over the remaining cream, and sprinkle over the cheese.
6 Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbling.

[TednRobin]

Up here in the cold, snowy north, we are having Beef Roast, noodles and Mashed Potatoes, best recipe I've tried yet.

Mix together:
1 Pack Good Seasons Italian Dressing
1 Pack Ranch Dressing(I use Hidden Valley)
1 Pack of Brown Gravy Mix

Sprinkle over roast, add a small amt of water, cook slow all day in the crockpot.

I add cooked noodles to the broth, serve over mashed potatoes.

comfort food at it's best.

[jblum315]

Sounds lovely. So it's really scalloped potatoes on top. What a good idea!

[BritParrothead]

Originally Posted by jblum315

Sounds lovely. So it's really scalloped potatoes on top. What a good idea!

yes, but with a dash of heavy / double cream and strong cheese, it was really yum!!

[CFrance]

What's for dinner tonight

Cucumber and Strawberry Salad
2 American Cucumbers
12 oz large strawberries
Salt and freshly milled pepper
pinch of caster sugar (I used regular sugar and put it in the food processor)
3 tablespoons dry white wine (I used chardonnay)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
A few borage flowers for garnish (I used pansies)

Peel cucumbers. Hull berries and slice thickly.
Arrange berries and cucumbers in alternating circles.
Season with salt, pepper, sugar. Spoon the wine over the salad
and sprinkle with tarragon. Chill. Before serving,
Garnish with a few blue borage flowers. (I used pansies.)