Chilli con carne cottage pie
In an attempt to try a new comfort meal, I came up with this, and will ABSOLUTELY be making it again. You have to make this for a family dinner. You’ll impress everyone, I promise.
Have nachos to start to if you really want, or a nice big sharing flan for dessert, to keep things Mexican.
Recipe, serves 3-4
1 onion
2 carrots
1/2 red pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 tbsp oil
1 cup water
400g tinned tomatoes
2 cups cooked mince
1/4 cup black beans (dried), or 1/2 cup cooked
1 Stock cube
Sprinkle of each: turmeric, garlic powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, chilli flakes (I used chipotle)
1 tbsp ketchup or tomato puree
1 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 square dark chocolate
1 large sweet potato, peeled
1 handful grated cheddar/ mozzarella mix
Guacamole
Yogurt/ sour cream
Coriander
Chopped spring onions
Crunchy corn
Method
Peel and chop your sweet potato into 6-8 pieces, then steam for 15-20 minutes, or until almost soft.
Leave the sweet potato to cool slightly, then mash with the back of a fork.
Season with salt, and garlic powder if you’d like, then set aside.
If you’re using uncooked black beans, add them to a saucepan with enough water to cover them by double. DO NOT ADD SALT. PLEASE.
Leave them to cook for around 20-30 minutes on medium heat.
Meanwhile, dice your red pepper and onion, and slice your carrots, chopping into small pieces.
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large frying pan/ wok, then add your onion, carrots, and garlic.
Fry for 5-10 minutes, or until your onion starts to turn translucent.
Add your red pepper, then sauté for a few more minutes until your onion is soft, adding a splash of water if the veg starts to stick.
Once your veg is almost soft, add your mince, and fry until cooked (mine was veggie, so I didn’t have to wait for this).
Add your tinned tomatoes, stock cube, water, spices, and cooked black beans.
Stir well, then add all your other ingredients and leave to simmer on medium heat to thicken.
Preheat the oven to 200°C.
Once your chilli has thickened, add 1/2 - 3/4 of it to the bottom of your baking dish.
Add your sweet potato mash on top, then smooth it out with the back of a fork.
Add a handful of grated cheese, then bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
In the mean time, mix together your guacamole, if making it homemade, and prep your coriander and spring onions for the top.
Remove the cottage pie, top with sour cream or yogurt, guacamole, chilli flakes, your spring onions and coriander and serve.
I’d add crunchy corn too if you have it.
Notes + Variations:
Use normal potatoes instead of sweet potatoes if you prefer them, but I really like the sweetness they add to this - it really cuts through the spice.
