This is a really tasty dish where you make up a big batch of meat sauce which you can then use later for Spaghetti bolognese, Quick chilli and a whole variety of other tasty dishes.

Ingredients - For the meat sauce

• 750 grams mince
• 200 - 300 grams onions (You can go up to half if you need it)
• 1 table spoon oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tin tomatoes
• 1 table spoon mixed herbs
• 1 gluten free stock cube
• 3 dessert spoons red lentils
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cornflour to thicken

For the mash

• Potatoes
• Butter
• Milk

Chop the onions small and fry in the oil until they are translucent, then add the mixed herbs, tomatoes, red split lentils, half a can of water and the mince. To make sure that the meat sauce is really tasty crumble the mince into the pan and simmer for two or three hours. To keep our gas consumption down we use Mr. D our thermal cooker for this part. After cooking thicken the meat sauce if required.

For the mash add a little bit of milk and butter to boiled potatoes.

To make the pie fill a pre warmed bowl with the meat sauce to half the bowls depth, then layer the mash on top of the sauce. Smooth down the top with a silicone spatula then brush the top with a little bit of oil. Use a fork to create the traditional cottage pie look and grill for a few minutes until the pie has a nice crispy top.

Serve with vegetables such as carrots, peas etc.

Top Tip

With Beef, used aged beef which has gone purple in colour as this is less tough than bright red beef.