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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to say that cottage pie is NOT a “weekday meal”

648 replies

RiddleMeThis2018 · 21/05/2019 11:19

Cottage pie is delicious. I know how to make it, but sometimes I like to look at a recipe online, to make sure I don’t put too much tomato in by mistake (disappointing, not to be recommended). Almost ALL the recipes say “delicious week-night supper” or similar. This is NOT a weeknight supper!! I couldn’t do it yesterday because the DCs and I got back from swimming too late. I’m not even working today and I had to psych myself up to it. The mince takes 50 mins to simmer, and that’s after all the chopping. Then there’s 20 mins in the oven assuming you time the potatoes right. And then the washing up!

I don’t blame cottage pie. I blame the website writers who want to make me think I should just whip this up on a Thursday when I get in from work. AIBU?

OP posts:
isthismylifenow · 22/05/2019 11:32

Have you tried an electric pressure cooker?

I have a stove top one, and a slow cooker. But if I cook mince in either of these, it comes out with this very odd texture that I am not too fond of. I cannot put my finger on what it is that makes the texture so different. The same if the mince hasn't been out for a good defrost. If it is at all slightly frozen, it cooks clumpy.

Comefromaway · 22/05/2019 11:38

Definately a weeknight winter meal here

I don't like mince so use corned beef but if I was using mince it would be chop half an onion and stir fry it with the mince (10 mins). re-heat & up the leftover potatoes from Sunday dinner (or quickly peel and dice a fresh potato and boil for 20 mins). Stick the mince in an oven proof dish, spoon mash over and stick under the grill for 5 mins whilst warming up the leftover veg from Sunday (or a pack of frozen mixed veg).

Easy.

WalterIris · 22/05/2019 12:20

Lasagne here is easier than cottage pie. no faffing with mash potato step.

  1. make the mince and tomato filling (basically same time as cottage pie filling step) 2)layer up with lasagne sheets
  2. top with sauce. for us we use mascapone, just warmed and seasoned 4)top with parmasan 5)bake

I wouldnt do either on a weekday if I was home after 6.30pm though, as We like to cook the mince element at least an hour first for flavour, and then in oven around 45mins. It is easy to prep and make though as most of that time its just simmering or in oven doing its thing, ie I would happily put in oven to bake then use that time to bath children

Original poster
RiddleMeThis2018 · 22/05/2019 12:22

comefromaway I don’t know what i’d call that, but in my book it’s not at all a cottage pie!

OP posts:
ArtichokeAardvark · 22/05/2019 12:27

@calpoppincalpol I was reeling at the idea of pork toes in a cottage pie (and at the idea of pork toes generally) until I realised you meant potatoes! Grin

GrassIsntGreener · 22/05/2019 12:30

Sorry...I'm a bit Confused that you think mince needs to simmer for almost an hour. It's so quick to brown in a frying pan takes no more than 10 minutes max. Weekday meal!

x2boys · 22/05/2019 12:30

@Comefromaway if you are using cornbeef rather than mince is that not more of a cornbeef hash?

GrassIsntGreener · 22/05/2019 12:33

Oh and you can just use a nice gravy - no need to make fancy sauces for the beef. Gravy is delicious.

Moominfan · 22/05/2019 12:36

I can think of more exciting things to make on a Sunday. Doesn't make the weekday menu in this house either

Freshbreadandbutter · 22/05/2019 12:43

Grass but it isn't just mince is it - surely? There are all the herbs, vegetables, seasoning to all cook properly and allow the flavours to infuse? 10 mins is no time. I suspect some of these pies somewhat lack depth!

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 22/05/2019 13:01

I make beef burgers out of exactly the same mince as I make shepherds pie out of. I don’t think that’s unusual.

Same here! I buy good quality beef mince - it looks and smells so good that I reckon it would taste great raw, it certainly doesn't need prolonged cooking.

nannybeach · 22/05/2019 13:07

50 minutes to simmer mince, lifes too short!!!

grumiosmum · 22/05/2019 13:13

The flavour in cottage pie comes from properly browning the mince, so it caramelises slightly, not from long slow simmering.

And I also use the same organic minced beef for burgers, cottage pie, bolognaise & lasagne.

And I reckon it would be fine as steak tartare too.

Comefromaway · 22/05/2019 13:28

I use mince for dh and corned beef for me. Cottage is beef, shepherds is lamb.I don;t like herbs much so tend not to use them. I might stick a handful of mixed herbs in dh's if I remember. We have it with lots of gravy.

Comefromaway · 22/05/2019 13:28

And I use premium extra lean mince.

Ontopofthesunset · 22/05/2019 13:48

To the poster who asked what we ate if cottage pie took too long, here are some ideas (bearing in mind my cottage pie takes at least an hour and a half and it's not just the time, but the washing up). Pasta with various sauces, eg tomato and garlic sauce (ideally the sauce should simmer for around 40 mins at a minimum), only two pans. Frittata with salad. Only two pans. Fasolakia or other Greek veg dishes - takes about an hour in total but only one pan and served with bread and feta. Grilled fish with couscous/veg. Vegetable curry and rice. Jambalaya or paella - only one dish and under an hour. Sometimes we have things that take longer like cottage pie or bolognese sauce or chilli.

LaurieMarlow · 22/05/2019 14:19

The flavour in cottage pie comes from properly browning the mince, so it caramelises slightly, not from long slow simmering.

Yes this

harrypotterfan1604 · 22/05/2019 14:22

Never in my life have I simmered mince for 50 mins!

riverislands · 22/05/2019 14:37

Who knew the British could get so worked up about cottage pie! 😄😄😄😄

Orangepeel76 · 22/05/2019 17:28

I would say yes you are and yes it is. Precook mince or use left over roast beef. Freeze mince mix and take out in morning required. Mash on top when you get it. Just needs a reheat. Yum!

Teacher22 · 22/05/2019 17:29

Cottage pie is a weekday meal if you want to be like the Michelin man.

Fishfingersandwichplease · 22/05/2019 17:39

Never in a million years would have cottage pie at the weekend! Totes a midweek meal here - in fact we are having it tonight!

Mary54 · 22/05/2019 17:42

As far as I’m concerned, it’s a midweek or Monday meal. As it’s normally made with the leftover meat from the roast, it is fairly quick. Mince the meat and onion while the potatoes are cooking and the oven is heating up. 20 mins plus 30 in the oven but you can do something else while it’s cooking

supermommyof4 · 22/05/2019 17:45

No problem here. Make full use of my slow cooker. Or I make the mince the night before then just do the mash the next day.
We have stew, spag bol and the occasional mid week roast too. It's just organisation and preparation. I meal plan before i shop so i know what needs doing every day

Xmasbaby11 · 22/05/2019 17:52

Yanbu! Or maybe only for those who are home early? On a work day I get home at 5.30 and try to eat asap. It's pesto pasta, stir fry etc. 30 mins max.