Ingredients

The following ingredients have 7 Servings
  • P
  • o
  • t
  • a
  • t
  • o
  • ,
  • V
  • e
  • n
  • i
  • s
  • o
  • n

Instruction

  • <p>1. You will need a 1.5-litre (2.5-pint) wide-based ovenproof dish, greased.</p> <p>2. Heat the oil in a large, deep flameproof casserole dish or saucepan. Add the bacon and fry over a high heat for 3–4 minutes or until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Tip in the onion, carrot and rosemary and fry for 4–5 minutes. Add the mince and stir over the heat for 3–4 minutes or until golden brown, using two spoons to break up into smaller pieces.</p> <p>3. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for a minute, stirring. Gradually stir in the wine and then boil for a few minutes to reduce by half. Pour in the stock and bring back up to the boil. Return the bacon to the pan, season with salt and pepper and allow to bubble, stirring, for 5–10 minutes. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat and simmer for about 40 minutes or until tender.</p> <p>4. Spoon the mince into the ovenproof dish and set aside to cool down completely (see tip).</p> <p>5. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/Gas 6 and make the topping.</p> <p>6. Cook the potatoes in a pan of boiling salted water for about 15 minutes until tender. Drain, add the butter and milk, season with salt and pepper and mash until smooth (see tip).</p> <p>7. Spoon the mash on top of the cold mince, level the top and rough the surface with the back of a fork, making a pattern, if you like. Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes or until golden and bubbling.</p> <p><strong>PREPARE AHEAD</strong>: Can be prepared and assembled up to a day ahead, ready to cook. The mince can be made 1–2 days ahead and stored in the fridge.</p> <p><strong>FREEZE</strong>: The cooked mince can be frozen, ideally without the mash on top as it sometimes does not freeze well.</p> <p><strong>MARY&#039;S EVERYDAY TIP</strong>: It is important for the mince to be cold before adding the mash; if it is hot, the mash will not be able to spread across the top properly and will mix in with the mince. By contrast, the mash spreads better when it’s warm.</p>