Cottage pie / Hachis Parmentier

Preparation Time : 20 mn - Cooking Time : 30 mn

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

20 oz (600g) of minced beef meat

2.2 lbs (1kg) of potatoes

5/8 cup (150ml) of milk

2 tomatoes

2 onions

2 garlic gloves

1/4 lbs (115 gr / 4 oz) of parmesan cheese

1 egg yolk

1 tablespoon of flour

1 tablespoon of herbes de Provence (rosemary, marjoram, basil, bay leaf, thyme)

1 tablespoon of Olive oil

1 oz (30g) of butter

Instructions:

1/ Boil potatoes for 30 mn (they’ll be easier to mash if overcooked). Let them chill.

2/ Chop onions and garlic and make them gently melt in hot oil, in a pan.

3/ When onions are transparents, add meat.

4/ When meat is cooked, add flour, herbes de Provence, salt and pepper.

5/ Stir gently for about 5 mn or until everything is cooked. Take away from heat and add egg yolk and half of parmesan cheese. Stir well.

6/ Peel and mash potatoes. Add milk, butter (keep aside 3 small pieces), salt and pepper. Stir well.

7/ Pour meat on a square pan. Slice tomatoes and put on top. Add the mashed potatoes and parmesan cheese. Finish with pieces of butter.

8/ Grill in oven until crust is golden.

9/ Serve with a salad.

Try it and let me know what you think! If you don’t have the exact ingredients don’t worry about it. This one is a personalized recipe but I think the original has carrots and sometimes peas in it… But what really matters in cooking is adapting the taste of the recipes to what you like. Don’t be afraid to try! Better not on an important dinner, though