Cottage puddings.

[Workingman]

An alternative cottage/shepherd's pie which I am trying today.

The Hairy Bikers did a sort of version of these in one of their shows, but using game. They are a bit like one of those steamed steak and kidney pies, but the "pastry" is mashed potatoes and the pies/puddings are cooked as normal in the oven.

A very dry mash was used to line medium pudding bowls to a thickness of about 1.5cm or 1/2inch then put in the freezer till just set, not frozen. The bowl was well buttered first. Once the mash is set it is filled with the cottage pie mix, but not to the top, the pie needs a thick mash lid/base and it has to be cut in so that the mash case is as one. To serve the pie is turned out onto a plate same as a pudding would be - upside down.

I have all the makings ready, but I won't start until about an hour before I eat as I don't want the cottage pie mix to soak through the 'pastry'.

[Kaz]

Yes, but would it taste any different to normal cottage pie? Enough to make it worth taking the extra trouble I mean?

[Workingman]

It was OK Kaz.

The outside of the mash was nice and crusty, the rest tasted just like a cottage pie but in it's own little cottage. Not really worth all the faff tbh.

If you were having a big meal and they were done in small pots they would make a great novelty starter covered with some really thick dark gravy.

[Kaz]

One of those things you just have to try, to find out I guess - and you found out

[Workingman]

Didn't I just?

It's not the sort of thing one would do mid-week for a family, but it tasted fine.

[Kaz]

[Diflower]

Lol didn't like to say

Starter WM?! Blimey, what would you serve after that?!

[Workingman]

Di, I did say SMALL versions.