Tom Kerridge Vegetarian Cottage Pie Food

SWEET POTATO-TOPPED COTTAGE PIE

Steps:

• For the base: heat half of the oil in a pan, add the onion and fry until it starts to soften, then add the garlic, celery and carrot and cook until soft. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a separate frying pan and fry the mince in batches, scooping each batch out with a slotted spoon and leave any excess oil behind.
• Add the mince to the veg, then stir in the tomato purée and cook for 1 min. Stir in the passata and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over a very low heat for 1½-2 hrs, then add the milk and cook for 30 mins. If you're making the base ahead of time, you can leave it to cool at this stage then freeze for up to a month. (Defrost fully before using in the next step.)
• To finish the recipe, heat more oil in a pan and fry another onion until it starts to soften. Add the carrot and celery and fry until tender. Add the thyme and bay and cook for 1 min, then tip in the mince base and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 mins (take off the lid towards the end if it's not thick enough).
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cook the sweet potatoes in simmering water until tender, drain well, then add the milk and mash the potatoes.
• Tip the meat mixture into a casserole dish and level it out (fish out the thyme and bay and discard), then pile the potato mixture on top and spread it out. Cook for 30 mins or until the top begins to brown.

VENISON CHILLI COTTAGE PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 2. Heat half the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish and fry the venison in batches until it has a dark caramelised crust, then transfer to a plate. Turn the heat right down, give the dish a quick wipe with some kitchen paper and add a little more oil, then fry the onions over a low heat for about 20 mins until caramelised. Stir in the garlic and spices, cook for a couple of mins, then add the venison back to the pan, stirring so all the spices coat the venison. Pour in the wine and stock and bring to the boil. Cover and cook in the oven for 2½ hrs until the meat is very tender.
• Lift the venison out of pan and set aside on a plate. Reduce the sauce by two-thirds, whisk in the cornflour mix, then cook over a low heat for 5 mins until thickened and glossy. Tip the venison back in along with the lime zest and juice and the grated chocolate, stir everything together, check the seasoning and pour into a gratin dish or individual pie dishes and chill in the fridge. Can be made three days ahead and chilled for up to six months ahead and frozen.
• To make the mash, boil the potatoes in salted water. Add the soured cream to a pan and gently heat. When the potatoes are tender, drain well, then either pass through a ricer into a bowl or mash them. Mix in the chilli, then slowly stir in the soured cream until you have a light, fluffy mash. Add a little seasoning and spread or pipe over the chilled chilli mix, then scatter over the cheese. Pop in the fridge until needed. Can be assembled up to a day before, or frozen for up to one month.
• To cook the pie, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 6. Bake for 45 mins until golden and bubbling, leave to sit for 10 mins and serve straight from the dish.