Monday 15 November 2010

Mince and Tatties

Anyone who has lived or stayed in Scotland will know all about this plain simple but oh so delicious dish. At home as a child it was served up once a week. Mince and Tatties night was always to be looked forward to. Now, for me, it has become the ultimate comfort food. When shopping at the  butchers a pound of mince is always included. My husband calls it Scottish Caviare. Left overs ,if there are any, can be used in a pastie or as known in Scotland a Bridie.

Ingredients:
  500g lean steak mince
1 large white onion, finely chopped.
Beef stock
Salt
White pepper
Gravy browning (optional)
Sploosh of virgin olive oil
A little milk

1. Put oil in a heavy bottomed pan over a low heat and soften the onions but don’t colour them, add the mince, turn up the heat and stir until all the meat is browned and any lumps are bashed out
2. Now add the milk and let it bubble a wee while to remove the graininess you sometimes get with mince. Then add enough stock to cover the mince and simmer gently for about 2 hours during which time season to taste
3. Don’t let the mince dry out, adding a little more stock or water if necessary. Whilst simmering, you may add a teaspoon of gravy browning if you wish to darken the dish but be careful and don’t put in too much!
4. During the cooking period it is important to skim off any fat that rises to the surface. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and peas
5. I like to add diced carrots to the mince (some add turnips) while cooking, it just depends what jail you did your time in or how your mother made it.


Ingredients for the creamy mashed potatoes:

• 1kg potatoes, (Red Roosters or Maris Pipers work well)
• Good lump of butter
• A little milk or cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Peel the potatoes and cut  into even sized chunks.

Method for the creamy mashed potatoes:

. Put the spuds in a large pot, cover with boiling water, a dessert spoon of salt and simmer for approximately 25 minutes or until done
Once cooked, drain them, put them back in their pot and cover with a clean tea towel which will absorb some of the steam
Mash the potatoes ( I use a hand held mixer)adding butter and cream and beating with a wooden spoon or a spurtle if you have one
Serve with the mince and some garden peas

If you want to thicken it a little bit add a little oatmeal. Healthier than cornflour or flour and yet traditional.



13 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

So comforting and delicious! I cannot resist that fabulous combo.

Cheers,

Rosa

Unknown said...

Hey Granny!
How are you? I've never been to Scotland, but you made me want to come as soon as possible, if I find these delicacies!
Have a nice week!

Barbaraxx

Clabby said...

This was my hubbie's meal every Saturday as a child - he loves it. Thanks for wee comment. Yes, had to give up the food blogging due to months of morning sickness but still blog about the children, mainly to keep family updated. Still check in here regularly and recently made your spicy beef. Busier than ever!

Gloria Baker said...

Brenda, lovely and yummy dish , huggs, gloria

Rhyleysgranny said...

Rosa - Just plain simple food. Sometimes the best.

Barbara - When you've finished in Scotlabd you can cross the Irish sea and find more;)

Clabby - Lovely to hear from you. I am glad you liked the spicy beef. You will of course be kept busy with your lovely wee family x

Gloria - Thank you x

Anna's kitchen table said...

Nothing like yummy comfort food! Brenda it looks delicious!

Brownieville Girl said...

That's what I call a proper dinner, good for body and soul :-}

Grannymar said...

Mammy had her own version of the above. I remember coming in from school at lunchtime - STARVING - and the aroma of this dish would meet us at the door! Yummy!

Unknown said...

Very comforting! I am putting a link on my fb Comfort Food page! Cheers!

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Looks and sounds delicious. Could go for a plateful right now!!

Crepes of Wrath said...

This looks like something I'd be more than happy to go to town on during the cold winter months! It's so gloomy outside right now and I think this would be just the thing to put me in better spirits!

Zoe said...

Never tried oatmeal as a thickener. Got to try that. Thanks for sharing!

kenju said...

It's 12:30 in the morning here and you've made me hungry!!