Cottage Pie and Shepherd’s Pie

Whenever people over a certain age talk about shepherd’s pie they point out reprovingly that it should be made from meat which is already cooked. And, of course, they’re right. It’s just that we don’t go in for large roasts and hunks of meat so much any more, so we don’t tend to have the leftovers to mince. But do you know what? It’s better with fresh, raw, minced meat. Still, the original, leftover-meat version is useful and good enough. And wonderful, without potato topping, as a sauce.</