Mince and Tatties.

Burns Night is approaching (25th January) and inspired perhaps by that, but probably more so by a recent city break in Edinburgh, I've been eating the very Scottish meal of 'Mince and Tatties' this week.

(Tatties in case your not familiar with the term - are simply mashed potatoes)

It's a great mid-week meal - extremely fast to make, and incredibly cheap - perfect for these Credit Crunch, doom laden times.

It's perfect winter grub.

Anyway,

There's apparently no hard and fast recipe, there are a loads of variations, but after a bit of trial and error, experimenting with bits from different recipes etc.....here's my recipe.

Mince+Tatties (Enough for 4 people.) 40 Mins cooking time.

You'll need:-

For the 'Mince'

500g Good Minced Beef

3 Carrots - peeled and finely chopped.

1 Large Onion - finely chopped.

1 Stick Celery - finely chopped.

500Ml Beef Stock.

2 Tbs Worcestershire Sauce

Dash of Tabasco Sauce

1/2 Tbs Marmite

Salt+Pepper

1 Tbs Porridge Oats.

For the 'Tatties'

Potatoes - Desiree or Maris Piper, about 400g per person.

Knob of Butter

Salt+Pepper (I prefer White Pepper in Mash)

In a large Saucepan on a high heat brown your Mince with some Salt+Pepper.

Add the Onions and Celery to the browned mince, and cook until softened - 5 mins or so.

Stir in the Carrots, then add the Stock, the Worcestershire sauce, The Oats and a dash of Tabasco Sauce.

Bring to the boil - and then simmer for 30 mins.

5 Mins before the end - add your Marmite.

(I know not everyone likes it, and it seems a bit of a strange addition- but it doesn't taste of Marmite - it adds a real richness - try it.)

Add Salt+Pepper to taste.

Your Tatties - will take about 25 mins - so get these in some salted boiling water about the same time you start simmering your Mince - and it will all be done at the same time.

Mash your drained potatoes with a Large knob of Butter, salt and pepper.

Serve a dollop of Mash with the Mince on the side.

Enjoy!