Vegetarian Cottage Pie

This Vegetarian Cottage Pie is made using Quorn Mince. Quorn is the brand name for a range of meat-free ingredients and meals sold here in UK.  Quorn products are  versatile and quick to cook. The mycoprotein used to produce Quorn is extracted from a fungus, Fusarium venenatum, which is grown in large fermentation vats.

Quorn produces both a cooking ingredients and a range of ready meals. It is sold as an alternative to meat and vegetarians love the taste.   The only downside is that the binding agent for Quorn is egg and  vegetarians who do not eat eggs will not be able to eat their products.  Please checkout www.quorn.co.uk for more information.

I used Quorn Mince and mixed vegetables to make my Vegetarian Cottage Pie.  This recipe is a favourite of my son.

Ingredients for 2 servings of Vegetarian Cottage Pie:

For the topping

• 5 -6 medium potatoes, peeled and diced largely
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tbsp milk
• 2 or 3 cups of grated cheese
• 1 tsp oregano
• salt and pepper to taste

For the Filling

• 175 g of  Quorn mince
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 cloves of  finely grated garlic
• 1 small Onion (optional – I did not use onions)
• 1 cup mixed vegetables – I used peas, corn and carrots
• half a can of chopped tinned tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato purée
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 small vegetarian stock cube or vegetarian bouillon powder

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C, Gas Mark 5

2.  Using just enough water to cover the potatoes, cook the potatoes until tender,  soft  and mashable.

3. Meanwhile heat the oil in a saucepan and add the Quorn Mince. Add the salt and pepper and cook the mince at a medium heat until  the mince starts to slightly brown.

4. Add the garlic (onions) and the mixed vegetables.

5. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, half a cup of water with the Oxo cube and allow this to cook very gently on medium heat – stirring all the time, until the mixture has thickened.  The Quorn mince  will absorb all the flavours from the tomatoes and garlic.

6. Transfer the cooked mixture to an oven-proof dish.

7. Mash the potatoes with the milk and butter until smooth, season to taste with the salt,  pepper and oregano.

8.   For the topping:  Cover the Quorn mixture with a layer of grated Cheese.

9.  Next cover the cheese layer with the mashed potatoes

10.   Now repeat the step and add a layer of cheese on top of the mashed potatoes.

11.   Finish with a layer of mashed potato as shown below.  If you are feeling adventurous, you can use a piping bag  to decorate the top of the cottage pie.

12.   Cook in the centre of the Oven at 190 degrees Centigrade for 20 minutes.

13. Serve Vegetarian Cottage Pie hot with a variety of vegetables such as  Green beans.