06 February 2013

Cheater's Cottage Pie


I always keep a stock of the ingredients for this super easy dish in case 1) it's month-end and there is nothing else to eat in the house; 2) it's almost month-end and, while there is still something to eat, we need leftovers for lunch; or 3) it's nowhere near month-end and Ric asks for it. 

You can put everything together in 15 minutes flat and then pop it into the oven and relax on your lazy, cheating bum for 30 minutes until it's ready. 

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 tbsp oil 
  • 1 packet Fry's vegetarian mince (plus the little seasoning packet that comes in the box with it)
  • 1/2 big packet or 1 small packet frozen vegetables (I use the carrot, sweetcorn and pea/green bean mix)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 packets Smash
  • 4 cups liquid i.e. water or milk or stock (depending upon how rich you want your Smash)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp vegan margarine optional)
  • vegan Parmesan cheese optional)
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. 

Heat the oil in a pan and fry the veggies and mince until they start to get soft. If you find that the ingredients are getting a bit dry and starting to stick to the bottom of the pan then add about 1/2 cup of water to moisten the mix. Add the Fry's seasoning packet and continue to fry the mix for about 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside. 

Empty the two packets of Smash into big bowl and stir in about 4 cups of the hot liquid of your choice (i.e. water, milk, stock etc). Stir until the Smash is smooth but not too runny (it should still stick to the spoon when you scoop it out). You can also add a big of margarine if you want it extra creamy. 


Spoon the mince mixture evenly onto the bottom of a relatively large (25 cm), flat oven-proof dish and then layer the Smash over that. Top with some vegan Parmesan, salt and pepper and place into to oven for about 30 minutes or until the Smash starts to brown. 


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