Shepherd's Pie.

We are always on the look out for warming winter meals that are inexpensive and can sometimes keep us going for dinner over two nights. Cue: shepherd's pie.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 brown onion, halved, finely chopped

1 carrot, peeled, finely chopped

2 celery sticks, trimmed, finely chopped

500g mince

2 tablespoons plain flour

500ml (2 cups) beef stock

1 dried bay leaf

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon tomato paste

Salt & freshly ground black pepper

4 (about 200g each) desiree potatoes, peeled, chopped

40g butter

125ml (1/2 cup) milk

Melted butter, to brush

Method

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and celery and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until soft.

2. Add mince and cook, stirring to break up any lumps, for 5 minutes or until mince changes colour.

3. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until combined. Add stock, bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes or until sauce thickens. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

4. Meanwhile: cook potato in a saucepan of salted boiling water for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain well. Return to the pan with the butter. Use a potato masher or fork to mash until smooth. Add milk and use a wooden spoon to stir until combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

5. Preheat oven to 200°C. Spoon mince mixture into a 2L (8-cup) capacity ovenproof baking dish.

6. Top with mashed potato and use a fork to spread over mixture. Brush with butter. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until mashed potato is golden brown. Serve immediately.

Source: http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/2335/classic%2Bshepherds%2Bpie