recipe reviews for:

Proper English Cottage Pie

“For this savory pie, ground beef, onions, veggies, herbs and spices marry perfectly: Everything is sauteed together and then combined with broth and tomato paste, and simmered until ready to pour into a prepared pie crust. The hearty filling is then topped with fluffy mashed potatoes, sprinkled with Cheddar cheese, and baked.”

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Reviewed: Aug. 12, 2011

I am English and this recipe seems to be pretty authentic. However, cinnamon would not be used in an English dish like this. I have noticed a couple of reviewers mention a pie crust and it not being authentic to the recipe. I agree, Cottage Pie does not have a pie crust, but I can see no reference to it in this recipe. As mentioned in another review, Worcestershire Sauce adds valuable flavor to the meat in this dish. Don't add too much tomato paste, if any and just play around with herbs til you get the flavor you like. You don't need to whip the potatoes, just make them as you normally would and spoon them onto the meat - the rougher, the better. I even fluff mine with a fork before adding the cheese, which makes the peaks a little crunchy. This dish is not meant to be complicated, so keep it simple. It's a quick and easy meal to make on a budget. A great comfort food and very tasty.

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Reviewer:

ginny005

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Mountain Home, Arkansas, USA

Reviewed: Jul. 28, 2011

This was a pretty good dish. I made some changes, omitted the flour, and spices and substituted beef gravy mix for the beef broth. I folded the grated cheese into the whipped potatoes.

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Reviewer:

Brenda V

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada

Living In: Airdrie, Alberta, Canada

Reviewed: May 17, 2011

This recipe is a pretty good guide. I put my own spin on it by using just a dash of cinnamon and subbing out the parsley with Rosemary, gives is a great flavor! I also include minced garlic in with the onions and also add corn and green beans when I add the broth to give it extra veggie goodness. I also omit the cheese as it seems to just be overkill.

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Reviewer:

Jacen007

Reviewed: May 17, 2011

Delicious!!! I add peas and corn to make it even larger. Plus substitute HP sauce for the small amount of tomato paste.

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Reviewer:

stuntman1979

Reviewed: May 16, 2011

Great recipe....I made this for the first time after falling in love with a Cottage Pie that I had at an irish pub. This is really very close to that dish, but a little more flavorful if you do follow a few of the tips. Use a little worst. sauce in the beef broth, and skip the tomato paste...just use a little ketchup instead and it's perfect. I loved the cinnamon and didn't find it overwhelming at all. YUM!

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Reviewer:

AngelicKR

Reviewed: May 15, 2011

I was surprised at how good this was. Nervous about the cinnamon but it was great! I did add Worcestershire Sauce, garlic and sprinkled paprika on the potatoes.

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Reviewer:

nycscribe

Reviewed: May 15, 2011

THIS WAS great!!!!! But I am wondering where some reviewers are getting that you use pie crust?? No where do I see pie crust mentioned. Just wonderin....

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Reviewer:

Dawna S

Reviewed: May 1, 2011

It was pretty good. I made it easy by using instant potatoes, always looking for a way to cut down on time spent in the kitchen. You will need to spice it up a bit.

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Reviewer:

tigerindy

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Michigan City, Indiana, USA

Living In: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Reviewed: Mar. 22, 2011

Came out too soupy :/ Maybe I didn't let it bake long enough... but I was expecting something a little different than what I received.

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Reviewer:

andrea92fl

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Dothan, Alabama, USA

Living In: Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA

Reviewed: Mar. 18, 2011

Excellent for St. Patrick's Day! I made a larger serving - more than doubled it - and put it in a 9x13 pan. Added minced garlic to the beef and a few splashes of Worcestershire sauce to the broth. Used ketchup in lieu of tomato paste. Didn't have Italian seasoning so added few pinches of dried rosemary and thyme to the broth and let it sit a bit to release the flavor. I added frozen peas and carrots to the beef [after cooking] instead of dicing carrots. I paid no attention to the mashed potato instructions - just made a big batch of my regular mashed potato's and spread them on top of the beef mixture. Good thing I made a huge batch as my 19 yr. old son had THREE big servings. Yep, it was a hit and I'll make it again!

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