Scottish Mince ‘n’ tatties

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Mince ‘n’ Tatties

Mince ‘n’ Tatties (Mince & Potatoes) is a traditional Scottish dish and one that will never go away. Historically it was popular in school canteens because it was easy to make batches and feed lots of children. I grew up with mince ‘n’ tatties, at least once a week we would have this dish, whether it be at home, my grannies house or my Auntie’s it was a household meal that satisfied everyone every time.

There is no wrong or right way to make this, but does need to include minced beef and root vegetables such as onions & carrots. Here is my version and always a winner in my house. The only debate we always have is Brown Sauce or Tomato Sauce? Maybe you’ll make it and let me know…lol!

Best served with a buttered Scottish plain outsider slice too…….oh….this is a must! Or even a Scottish plain mince ‘n’ tattie piece (Sandwich)! Haven’t tried it….go on I dare you….you won’t look back…trust me!

Scottish Plain Bread

Serves 2

For the Mince

250g Scottish Steak Mince

1 onion – chopped

1 Carrot – chopped

Handful of garden peas (frozen is fine)

200ml Beef Stock

1 tbsp Beef Gravy granules

Salt & Black pepper

Splash of Worcestershire Sauce (optional)

For the Tatties

400g Potatoes (ones good for mash)

2 tbsp butter

  1. Heat a little oil in a pan on medium heat and brown the onions, then add the mince, season with plenty black pepper and salt to taste and brown.
  2. Add into the pot the carrots, peas and beef stock, mix and bring to the boil, then simmer gently for about 30 minutes.
  3. Next stir through the gravy granules to thicken the sauce, cook for a further 5 minutes. At this stage if using worcestershire sauce, then stir through.
  4. Meanwhile, cook potatoes in slightly salted water until soft, drain and mash with the butter.
  5. Serve.
Mince n Tatties

Go on, go back to your school days and use an ice cream scoop for yer tatties! In our households as kids and still to this day, we wouldn’t eat it like this…..oh no…..we would mix the tatties with the mince on the plate then cover in sauce….this is where the debate of Brown or Tomato sauce comes in…lol! Sometimes too we would make a piece with scottish plain bread and the mix of M&T’s in the middle…oh yum! You gotta try this. Proper home comfort food.

Chicken, Bacon and Leek Stew with creamy mash

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Serves 2

1 x Chicken Breast – cut into small chunks

4 rashers of smoked Bacon – chopped

1 leek – sliced

50ml chicken stock

150ml milk

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp coriander

oil for frying

100 g green beans trimmed and chopped

1 onion – chopped finely

75ml creme fraiche

2 Bay leaves

2-3 potatoes – peeled and cubed

Chicken Stew:-

1. Lightly brown the chicken in a pan, add in the bacon and brown further, add in the onion and brown, add in the leeks and cook for a further few mins.

2. Add salt, pepper to taste.

3. Pour in chicken stock and 100 ml milk and bring to the boil, add in green beans and drop in Bay leaves, then reduce to simmer for approx 30 mins.

4. Add in coriander and 50 ml creme fraiche and cook through for a further 5 mins. If your sauce needs thickened add a little flour (or cornflour) and mix.

Creamy Potatoes:-

1. Bring to the boil the potatoes until soft. Drain and mash.

2. Add in 2 tbsp butter, 50ml milk and 2 tbsp creme fraiche and mash up well until smooth and creamy.

Serve both on plate….yum!

Scottish Steak Bourgingoun with creamy mash

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Serves 2

400g Scottish stewing steak cubed

2 tbsp flour

8 shallots peeled, halved

2 carrots sliced

1 red pepper

Handful mushrooms

1tbsp olive oil

1 garlic clove chopped finely

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp thyme

1 bouquet garnish

Salt and pepper to taste

400ml beef stock

1/2 bottle red wine (red burgandy, pinot noir or a cotes du rhone)

 

1. Coat steak cubes with flour and brown in a pan with olive oil. Approx 5 minutes.

2. Remove with slotted spoon. Fry shallots until coloured, add carrots, peppers and mushrooms fry for about 2-3mins then add meat back to pan.

3. Add tomato paste, garlic and season, cook for further 1 min.

4. Add wine and beef stock with bouquet garnish and thyme, bring to boil then simmer for approx 3 hours until meat is tender.

5. Meanwhile 30 mins before ready, boil some potatoes in a pan for 20 mins until softened. Remove from heat add a knob of butter and 50ml milk or cream.

6. If sauce needs thickened, mix in some cornflour to thicken.

7. Serve all on a plate with some crusty bread to soak up gravy. Oh! and a wee glass of the left over wine…yum…yum!!