Mushroom, kumara & beef cottage pie

Prep 30 mins | Cook 1 hr | Serves 4

1 tbs olive oil
1 brown onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
500g lean beef mince
250g button mushrooms, finely chopped
1 celery stick, finely chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
2 tbs tomato paste
1 cup beef stock
400g can diced tomatoes
2 tbs Worcestershire sauce
800g kumara (orange sweet potato), peeled & diced
50g chilled butter, diced
⅓ cup fat reduced milk, warmed
⅓ cup finely grated parmesan

Step 1 Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes until softened. Increase to high, add mince and cook, stirring to break up mince with a wooden spoon, for 4-5 minutes until browned.

Step 2 Add mushrooms, celery and carrot to pan and cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add stock, tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce, cover and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until thick. Season to taste.

Step 3 Meanwhile, preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Bring kumara to the boil in a medium saucepan of cold water over high heat. Reduce heat and gently boil for 12 -15 minutes or until tender. Drain and return kumara to saucepan. Toss over low heat until dry. Remove from heat and roughly mash. Beat in butter and milk until smooth. Season to taste.

Step 4 Spoon mince mixture into a greased 6-cup (about 5cm deep) baking dish. Evenly top with mashed kumara. Sprinkle with parmesan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbling and lightly golden and serve.

Good for you ... Sweet Potato - Kumara

Like other orange coloured vegetables, kumara is rich in a range of carotenoids, including beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A (needed to for normal vision and the structure of our skin).

A good source of vitamin C, which is needed for the normal functioning of the immune system.

A good source of vitamin E, which helps protect cells from damaging free radicals

A source of dietary fibre which is needed for the normal functioning of the intestine.