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29 replies
Em2122 · 14/02/2022 09:37
I always fail at making cottage pie. I reduce the stock but it doesn't really thicken it just boils away . What am I doing wrong?
I use flour on the mince, I use 5% mince is that the reason why?
OP posts:
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SilenceOfThePrams · 14/02/2022 10:07
Bung in some bisto.
Bushkin · 14/02/2022 10:29
Bisto powder, the original one in the box
AchillesPoirot · 14/02/2022 10:30
Yeah. Bisto.
PinkyU · 14/02/2022 10:33
Caramelise some seasoned onion until soft and translucent then add some flour/corn starch to coat them, then add it to your cottage pie mix and stir.
Frenchfancy · 14/02/2022 10:37
And don't add any milk to your mash.
CornishGem1975 · 14/02/2022 10:38
Don't put as much liquid in the first place!
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purplesequins · 14/02/2022 10:38
dissolve a little corn starch (a teaspoon or so) in cold water and add to the stock.
StripyOnesie · 14/02/2022 10:40
Cornflour and proper mince with fat in it.
friggingnora · 14/02/2022 10:41
You need a thickening agent. Gravy granules will do it and add flavour too, or mix flour and cold water until smooth then add a bit at a time to your mince.
loopylindi · 14/02/2022 10:42
cook some red lentils with your mince. They will cook down to nothing but thicken the mixture and add extra (cheaper) protein
HopingForMyRainbowBaby · 14/02/2022 10:45
My ex mil had the biggest fail at making a cottage pie. She forgot to put the gravy in! Dished up a watery anaemic looking dish which we all had to choke down out of politeness 
I thickened mine up the other week by chucking in a couple of teaspoons of gluten free plain flour mixed in with some cold water. Forgot to get cornflour but it worked just as well.
ErrolTheDragon · 14/02/2022 10:48
Sounds like you're just not using enough flour. I prefer thickening with wheat flour at the start but if it's still too thin when you've added the stock, mix a bit of cornflour with cold water and blend that in.
mykitchenruler · 14/02/2022 10:51
My cottage pie doesn't have flour? Tomato paste as thickening agent with the meat.
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Talipesmum · 14/02/2022 10:51
@ErrolTheDragon
Sounds like you're just not using enough flour. I prefer thickening with wheat flour at the start but if it's still too thin when you've added the stock, mix a bit of cornflour with cold water and blend that in.
Agree with this. My gravy got way better when I realised you actually need to put more flour in at the early stage.
How much flour are you adding for eg a 500g pack of mince?
Daisydoesnt · 14/02/2022 10:52
OP is your stock homemade with roasted bones? If it’s not or if it’s shop bought then boiling/ reducing it won’t thicken it. You need the gelatin from bones to thickens it as you reduce it down.
I second bunging in a tablespoon of Bisto as a quick fix.
MyDcAreMarvel · 14/02/2022 10:52
Use bisto , stock isn’t gravy.
iklboo · 14/02/2022 10:56
Bisto or thickening granules are good for this, but cornflour will do as well.
Rayna37 · 14/02/2022 11:20
I don't use any flour but I also don't add any stock or water? Would never have occurred to me to do so! Just the meat and veg is fine.
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MaizeAmaze · 14/02/2022 12:02
What type of stock? Just put less water in?
asnippersdream · 14/02/2022 12:05
@CornishGem1975
Don't put as much liquid in the first place!
This is the correct answer.
ODFOx · 14/02/2022 12:12
How are you making the meat layer O? If you share your recipe we may be able to snag it for you so you don't have to use gravy granules/bisto etc.
CornishGem1975 · 14/02/2022 12:50
I don't get it @asnippersdream I never try and thicken my recipes ever, I just reduce the liquid content in the first place. If it always comes out too wet, use less stock!
ivykaty44 · 19/02/2022 10:46
I use delia smith recipe, but just use normal mash on the top of the pie, its the best recipe ive used and stick to it now for some years. I use mince beef for the meat
BurbageBrook · 19/02/2022 10:47
You’re using too much liquid, you need less stock and a higher meat ratio.
Eminybob · 19/02/2022 10:50
I add about 2 tablespoons of flour after I’ve browned the mince and veg, thickens up nicely with no need for gravy granules.
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