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Cottage Pie and Beef & Carrots

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Ingredients

  • FOR THE BEEF STEW:
  • Servings: 6 to 8
  • 1 3/4 cups low-salt beef broth (1 14-ounce can)
  • 1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
  • 2 to 3 Tbs olive or vegetable oil
  • 2 1/2 pounds thin-cut chuck steaks, preferably top blade (or flat iron), 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick, trimmed of any excess fat or gristle
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch dice (about 1 1/3 cups)
  • 2 celery stalks, cut into 1/2 inch dice (about 1 cup)
  • 2 small onions, cut into 1/2 inch dice (about 2 cups)
  • 1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried)
  • 2 Tbs tomato paste
  • 3 Tbs all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup dry white wine or dry vermouth
  • FOR THE TOPPING:
  • 2 pounds russet potatoes (3 to 4 medium), peeled and cut into 1 1/2 to 2 inch chunks
  • Kosher salt
  • 5 Tbs unsalted butter (at room temperature, cut into 3 pieces) plus 2 tsp (cold, cut into small bits); more for the baking dish
  • 1/2 cup milk, light cream, or half and half, warmed
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from keyingredient.com

Preparation

Step 1

Make the beef stew: Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Pour the broth into a small saucepan and add the mushrooms. Bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Remove the heat, cover, and steep for at least 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbs of the oil in a heavy stew pot or shallow 5-qt Dutch oven over medium high heat. Pat the steaks dry, season lightly with kosher salt and pepper, and put only as many in the pan as will fit without crowding. Sear the steaks, flipping once, until nicely browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Set aside on a platter, and repeat with the remaining steaks.

Lower the heat to medium, and if the pan looks dry, add the remaining 1 Tbs oil. Add the carrots, celery, onions, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 7 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, and cook for a few minutes. Add the flour, stirring to blend, and cook for another minute. Add the flour, stirring to blend, and cook for another minute. Add the wine, bring to a simmer, and reduce the heat to low. With a slotted spoon, scoop the mushrooms from the broth and transfer to a cutting board. Coarsely chop the mushrooms and add them to the vegetables. Slowly add the broth, being careful to hold back the last few tablespoons.

Cut the steaks into 1/2 to 3/4 inch cubes and add to the pot, along with any juices. Cover tightly and transfer to the oven. Cook, stirring once or twice, until the meat is tender, about 1 hour. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set the stew in a warm place, and increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees. (Or, if making ahead, let cook, then cover and refrigerate.)

Make the topping: About 30 minutes before the stew is ready, put the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover by an inch with cold water. Add 1 tsp kosher salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, partially cover, and simmer until the potatoes are easily pierced with a skewer, about 20 minutes. Drain, and return the potatoes to the saucepan. Put the pan over low heat and shake or stir the potatoes until a floury film forms on the bottom of the pot, 1 to 2 minutes.

Using a ricer, food mill, or potato masher, mash the potatoes. Stir in the 5 Tbs of butter with a broad wooden spoon. Once the butter is thoroughly absorbed, add the milk or cream in three parts, stirring vigorously between additions. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Assemble and bake: Lightly butter a shallow 3-qt baking dish. Spoon the stew into the baking dish. Spread the potatoes on top in an even layer - you don’t need to spread them all the way to the edge. Dot the top with the remaining 2 tsp butter. Bake at 375 degrees until the stew is bubbling around the sides, and the top is lightly browned, 35 to 45 minutes (45 to 55 minutes, if the pie has been refrigerated).

Variation: Cottage Pie with horseradish Potato topping: Drain and squeeze the liquid from 3 Tbs prepared horseradish. Stir the horseradish into the mashed potatoes along with the butter.

Make-Ahead Tips: The beef stew can be made several days ahead and kept, covered, in the refrigerator; just reheat before proceeding with the recipe. You can also fully assemble the pie 1 day ahead: Dot the top with the 2 tsp butter, cool the pie, cover with plastic, and refrigerate until ready to use.

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