Mince & Potato Bake

Mince & Potato Bake

A dish I have been cooking for years - easy to adapt to different tastes - kids and adults seem to love it.  An exciting variation on the traditional shepherd’s pie, and an  ideal winter warmer.

Ingredients :

5 med Potatoes

250 gms. Chicken Mince

3 med. Onions (peeled & chopped finely)

3 fresh Green Chillies (finely cut)

½ tsp. Turmeric pwd.

2 tbsps. fresh Garlic paste

1 tbsp. fresh Ginger paste

2 Tomatoes (blanched,peeled & sliced finely)

A dash of Vinegar (I used Sugarcane vinegar)

1 tsp. Red Chilli pwd.

1 tsp. Garam Masala pwd.

¼ tsp. each Cinnamon & Clove pwd.

1/3 tsp. fresh Nutmeg pwd.

1 cup blanched Mixed Vegetables ( Green Peas, Sweet Corn niblets, & Carrots)

1 Capsicum (deseed, discard membrane & chop finely)

1 tsp. dry mixed Italian herbs

A pinch of Sugar

4 tbsps. Vegetable Oil

1 cup Water

2 Eggs (lightly beaten)

2 tbsps. Milk

1 cup Processed Cheddar Cheese (grated)

3 tbsps. Bread Crumbs

1 tbsp. Butter

Salt & Pepper to taste

A handful of fresh Coriander Leaves (chopped)

Method :

Wash & pressure coboil potatoes in their jackets till soft. 

Peel off the skins from the potatoes & mash them well. Season with salt & pepper & keep aside for further use.

Add capsicum to the mixed vegetables & mix with a little salt, a sprinkle of pepper, Italian herbs & keep aside.

Combine beaten eggs & milk in a bowl. Set aside for further use.

Preparation of Chicken Mince :

Wash the mince lightly once. Drain the water & keep aside.

Heat oil in a wok/kadhai/pot till hot. Reduce heat & add onions.

Saute the onions till soft & translucent.

Add the turmeric, green chillies, red chilli pwd., ginger-garlic paste & saute till rawness disappears. Then add the sliced tomatoes, garam masala pwd., cinnamon & clove pwd., nutmeg pwd.,; stir & cook till tomatoes are soft.

Then add the chicken mince saute well for about 5 mins. on med. Reduce heat if it is too much.

Add one cup water & let it cook till the mince is dry.

Next add a dash of vinegar, a light sprinkle of pepper & salt to taste and a tsp of sugar. Mix well. Adjust vinegar to taste. Lastly garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Keep aside.

To assemble the bake :

Take a square baking dish.(9x9x2.5 inches)

Lightly grease a baking dish with some butter.

Spread all the prepared chicken mince evenly in the dish.

Then spread the prepared mixed vegetables in an even layer.

Cover the entire dish with an even layer of mashed potatoes.

Using a fork lightly scroll the surface of the potato layer with criss cross lines.

Gently & evenly pour the egg mixture on the potato layer.

Sprinkle grated cheese, pepper & bread crumbs on top. Dot with some butter.

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200C till the bake sets well & turns to golden.

Remove from the oven & let it sit till it is warm.

Cut into wedges & serve.

http://verygoodrecipes.com/thanksgiving-challenge