If in doubt what to make for a tasty comforting dish, my mother always returned to her family cottage pie recipe – every time I taste this, it brings back so many fond memories of growing up here on the farm.

Sometimes we swapped the beef for lamb – to make a yummy Shepherds Pic. Some people would argue how traditional Irish is this, but hey, I was reared on it, so it is in my book!

So I shared it on NBC Today show to celebrate St Patricks Day.

Ballyknocken Cottage Pie

Serves 4 to 5

2 tbsp olive oil

500g lean minced beef

2 chopped garlic cloves

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

1 celery stalk, finely sliced

2 tsp chopped thyme

1 tsp chopped rosemary

5 tbsp peas

2 tbsp flour

100 ml red wine

300 ml beef stock

1 tbsp tomato puree

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 kg potatoes, peeled and diced

200ml cream

3 tbsp butter

100g Irish cheddar cheese, grated

2 egg yolks, beaten well

Salt and pinch white pepper

1. Heat some oil in a hob to oven casserole dish / skillet pan.
2. Add the minced beef with salt and pepper and brown. Remove from the pan onto a clean plate.
3. Add a little more oil, then the onions, sauté until softened but not brown.
4. Add the rosemary, thyme, garlic, carrots and celery and cook for 3minutes.
5. Return the browned beef to the pan.
6. Add the flour, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
7. Stir in the tomato puree.
8. Add in the red wine and cook for about 4 minutes.
9. Then pour in the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce
10. Add in the peas and bring to the boil.
11. Reduce the heat and simmer for 25 minutes, Stirring from time to time.
12. Check for seasoning adding more salt or pepper as needed
13. Meantime, place the diced potatoes into a steamer and cook until just soft.
14. Spoon them into a potato ricer and press into a bowl.
15. Warm the cream and butter gently.
16. Pour into the potatoes, season with salt and white pepper to taste. Stir in the beaten egg yolks and mix well.
17. Preheat the oven to 190°C/fan 170°C/gas 5.
18. Pipe or spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the beef, sprinkle the cheddar cheese over and place in