Welcome to Mum&sons

My two eldest boys challenged me to start a cooking blog with simple recipes that we can cook together - and my youngest one has now joined in. I am hoping they pick up some cooking and photograph skills... or that at least they learn to design and run a blog.


REALLY SIMPLE APPLE TART

This takes no time at all.
You need:
- shop-bought puff pastry ( preferably already rolled)
- 5-6 apples cut into thin slices
- 2 handfuls of caster sugar
- one egg beaten

Preheat the oven at 200 degrees. Line an oven tray with baking parchment. Put the puff pastry on top. Arrange the apple slices on top of the puff pastry. Sprinkle it with the sugar, paint the puff pastry edges with the egg wash and bake for 20-25 minutes.

You can also put apple sauce under the apple slices. Or you can toss the apples with the juice and grated zest of a lemon.



COTTAGE PIE

You need
400 gr minced beef
50 gr bacon (cut in cubes)
1 large carrot (grated)
1 large onion (grated)
1 clove of garlic (grated)
some olive oil
salt and pepper
1 glass of wine
1 glass of water (we do not use stock but you may wish to use it)
2 table spoon Worcestershire sauce
5 tablespoons of tomato sauce.
800 gr potatoes
50 gr butter (plus some more to dot over the mashed potatoes)
4 table spoons creme (or creme fraiche)

In a large pan (over medium to high heat) put 2 table spoons of oil and brown the meat (get rid of any lumps by shredding it with two wooden spoons). Take it out of the pan and reserve it. Lower the hear to medium. Fry the bacon in the same pan (without any oil) for 3 minutes. As soon as it is golden add 2 tablespoons of oil, the grated carrot and onion and fry this for 3-4- minutes. Add the meat back and then add the salt, grated garlic, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, wine and water. Let it all bubble for 5 minutes.

Separately boil the potatoes in salty water until they are soft. Drain the water, add the butter, milk, cream, salt and pepper and mash it all well.

Put the meat on a deep baking tray. Cover it with the mashed potatoes. Dot little cubes of butter on top and bake in a 200 degrees preheated oven for 35 minutes.

The children get a bit bored with all these steps but they like helping with the mashing. Mine love this pie but I suspect they liked it even more when they did not know what was inside it.