Thursday, January 27, 2011

Cottage Pie - one of my faves!


Ingredients:
1 tbsp oil
1 large onion chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
560g/1¼ lb beef mince
400g/14oz can tomatoes
290ml/10fl oz beef stock
1 bay leaf
fresh thyme leaves from 1 sprig
2 tbsp tomato purée
salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic
75ml Worcestershire sauce


Mash Potato Topping:
750g/1½ lb potatoes, peeled and chopped
75g/2½oz butter
55ml/2fl oz milk
Grated parmesan.

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.
2. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion, garlic and carrot and cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes until soft.
3. Add the minced beef and cook for 3 minutes to brown. Drain any excess grease
4. Add the tomatoes, purée, beef stock, bay leaf, worchestershire sauce and thyme.
5. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Season.
6. Make the mash: boil the potatoes until soft. Drain and mash with the butter and milk. season with salt and pepper.
7. Spoon the meat into an ovenproof dish. Top with the mash and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown.
8.Add the cheese and grill for a few minuites until the cheese melts and forms a crust.


ENJOY!!!!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Keftethes - Greek Meatballs Recipe


Greek Meatballs (Keftethes)

Thanks to Joanne for this

4 servings.
Ingredients
4 slices bread, white or wheat or whole grain - or Bread crumbs - they’re easier.If you use bread, trim the crusts.

1 pound ground beef
1 egg
1 medium onion chopped fine.
1 tbs. crushed mint
salt and pepper to taste
some flour
2 tbs butter. 2 tbs olive oil.


Cooking method
Place in mixing bowl and cover with small amounts of water. For bread crumbs youcan omit this step.

Add meat, egg, onion, mint, salt and pepper.
Shape into two inch patties.
Coat the patties well with the flour.
Fry the patties in the mixture of oil and butter.f. Brown on each side then drain.
You can make these ahead of time and freeze them thenwhen you are ready to serve
efrost and reheat them at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

These are absolutely fantastic with potato salad or coleslaw. They’re also great cold and on picnics. You can also use these with a tomato sauce and serve meatballs and spaghetti. A little twist on the traditional. Enjoy!