Ingredients

The following ingredients have 5 Servings
  • 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
  • 2 pounds coarse ground sirloin
  • pat very dry with paper towels
  • 2 medium onions
  • chopped
  • 2 medium carrots
  • finely chopped
  • 2 ribs celery
  • finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • chopped
  • 2 fresh bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper
  • About ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 rounded tablespoons flour
  • ½ cup cloudy apple cider or amber beer
  • 2 cups beef stock in a box
  • 1 cup chopped watercress leaves
  • 1 ½ to 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 bag frozen tater tots

Instruction

  • Preheat oven to 400˚F
  • Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high to high heat with oil, 2 turns of the pan
  • When oil ripples, add meat and brown well, stirring occasionally
  • Add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves and season with salt and pepper
  • Cook to soften vegetables, 10-12 minutes
  • Stir in Worcestershire sauce and reduce heat to simmer
  • In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat
  • Whisk in flour, cook 1 minute then whisk in cider or beer
  • Reduce by half then whisk in stock and thicken to a loose gravy
  • Place meat and vegetables in a casserole dish and stir in watercress and gravy
  • Top with cheddar and tots, and bake until tots are golden and crispy on top