Budget-friendly cottage pie recipe: A Scots perspective

Cottage pie is a classic comfort food that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a great dish to make when you are on a budget.

This recipe for budget-friendly cottage pie is a Scots perspective on the classic dish. It uses Scottish ingredients, such as Scottish beef mince and Scottish potatoes. The recipe also includes some tips on how to save money, such as using leftover vegetables and buying beef mince in bulk.

Ingredients

• 500g Scottish beef mince
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon beef stock powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 knob of butter
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1.2kg Scottish potatoes, peeled and quartered

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit).
2. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and add the beef mince.
3. Cook the beef mince until it is browned and cooked through.
4. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the frying pan and cook until they are softened.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes, beef stock powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper to the frying pan.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, cook the potatoes in a large pot of boiling water until they are tender.
8. Drain the potatoes and mash them with the butter and milk.
9. Spread the beef mince mixture in an ovenproof dish.
10. Top the beef mince mixture with the mashed potato.
11. Bake the cottage pie for 20 minutes, or until the mashed potato is golden brown.

Tips for saving money

• Use leftover vegetables. If you have leftover vegetables from another meal, you can add them to the beef mince mixture. This will save you money and help you to reduce food waste.
• Buy beef mince in bulk. Beef mince is often cheaper when you buy it in bulk. You can freeze any leftover beef mince for later use.
• Use a slow cooker. If you have a slow cooker, you can cook the beef mince mixture in the slow cooker overnight. This will save you energy and time.

Scots perspective

Cottage pie is a popular dish in Scotland, and it is often served on special occasions such as Burns Night. The Scots version of cottage pie typically includes Scottish ingredients, such as Scottish beef mince and Scottish potatoes.

One way to make the cottage pie even more Scottish is to add a splash of whisky to the beef mince mixture. You can also serve the cottage pie with a dollop of haggis.

Here are some other tips for making a Scots cottage pie:

• Use Scottish beef mince. Scottish beef mince is known for its high quality and delicious flavor.
• Use Scottish potatoes. Scottish potatoes are known for their creamy texture and rich flavor.
• Add a splash of whisky to the beef mince mixture. This will give the cottage pie a unique Scottish flavor.
• Serve the cottage pie with a dollop of haggis. This is a Scottish delicacy that is made from sheep’s pluck, oatmeal, onions, and spices.

Conclusion

Budget-friendly cottage pie is a delicious and comforting meal that is perfect for a cold winter day. This recipe for budget-friendly cottage pie is a Scots perspective on the classic dish. It uses Scottish ingredients and includes some tips on how to save money.

If you are looking for a delicious and budget-friendly way to make cottage pie, then be sure to try this recipe. You won’t be disappointed!

Additional thoughts

Here are some additional thoughts on budget-friendly cottage pie from a Scots perspective:

• Cottage pie is a great dish to make for a crowd. It is easy to scale up or down the recipe depending on how many people you are serving.
• Cottage pie is also a great dish to make for a potluck. It is a simple dish to make, and it is always a crowd-pleaser.
• Cottage pie is a healthy and affordable dish. It is a good source of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables.
• Cottage pie is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish. It is also a great dish to take on picnics and camping trips.

I hope you enjoy this Scots perspective on budget-friendly cottage pie!