Venison cottage pie recipe
 Give an everyday classic a makeover with venison mince. Rich with red wine, this dish is smart enough for casual suppers with friends. For this recipe you will need a 3 litre/5 pint ovenproof dish. 2 tbsp oil, for frying6 rashers smoked streaky bacon, chopped1 large onion, finely chopped1 large carrot, finely chopped2 sprigs rosemary, leaves picked and chopped600g/1lb 5oz venison mince1 heaped tbsp plain flour300ml/10fl oz red wine500ml/18fl oz beef or game stocksalt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tbsp oil, for frying 6 rashers smoked streaky bacon, chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 large carrot, finely chopped 2 sprigs rosemary, leaves picked and chopped 600g/1lb 5oz venison mince 1 heaped tbsp plain flour 300ml/10fl oz red wine 500ml/18fl oz beef or game stock salt and freshly ground black pepper 1kg/2lb 4oz potatoes, chopped into 2cm/¾in cubes knob of buttersplash milk 1kg/2lb 4oz potatoes, chopped into 2cm/¾in cubes knob of butter splash milk Method Heat the oil in a large deep, lidded casserole or a heavy-based saucepan set over a high heat. Add the bacon and fry until crisp. Remove and set aside. Add the onion, carrot and rosemary and fry for a few minutes until softened. Add the mince and stir until golden-brown, breaking it up while stirring. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for a minute, stirring. Gradually add the wine, and, stirring all the time, boil for a few minutes until the volume of liquid has reduced by half. Add the stock and the cooked bacon, bring to the boil and season with salt and pepper, stirring for 5 minutes. Cover and simmer for about 40 minutes or until tender. Preheat the oven 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Spoon the mince into a 3 litre/5 pint ovenproof dish. Set aside to cool.To make the topping, bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Boil the potatoes until tender. Drain and return to the pan. Add the butter and milk. Season with salt and pepper and mash until smooth. Spoon the mash on top of the cold mince, level the top and mark with a fork. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden-brown and bubbling. Heat the oil in a large deep, lidded casserole or a heavy-based saucepan set over a high heat. Add the bacon and fry until crisp. Remove and set aside. Heat the oil in a large deep, lidded casserole or a heavy-based saucepan set over a high heat. Add the bacon and fry until crisp. Remove and set aside. Add the onion, carrot and rosemary and fry for a few minutes until softened. Add the mince and stir until golden-brown, breaking it up while stirring. Add the onion, carrot and rosemary and fry for a few minutes until softened. Add the mince and stir until golden-brown, breaking it up while stirring. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for a minute, stirring. Gradually add the wine, and, stirring all the time, boil for a few minutes until the volume of liquid has reduced by half. Add the stock and the cooked bacon, bring to the boil and season with salt and pepper, stirring for 5 minutes. Cover and simmer for about 40 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for a minute, stirring. Gradually add the wine, and, stirring all the time, boil for a few minutes until the volume of liquid has reduced by half. Add the stock and the cooked bacon, bring to the boil and season with salt and pepper, stirring for 5 minutes. Cover and simmer for about 40 minutes or until tender. Preheat the oven 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Preheat the oven 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Spoon the mince into a 3 litre/5 pint ovenproof dish. Set aside to cool. Spoon the mince into a 3 litre/5 pint ovenproof dish. Set aside to cool. To make the topping, bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Boil the potatoes until tender. Drain and return to the pan. Add the butter and milk. Season with salt and pepper and mash until smooth. To make the topping, bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Boil the potatoes until tender. Drain and return to the pan. Add the butter and milk. Season with salt and pepper and mash until smooth. Spoon the mash on top of the cold mince, level the top and mark with a fork. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden-brown and bubbling. Spoon the mash on top of the cold mince, level the top and mark with a fork. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden-brown and bubbling. Recipe tips This can be prepared up to 1 day in advance.