The ultimate makeover: shepherd's pie

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Ingredients

1 tbsp rapeseed oil

1 onion, chopped

3-4 thyme sprigs

2 carrots, diced (total weight 300g/11oz)

250g lean minced lamb (we used 10% fat)

1 tbsp plain flour

1 tsp vegetable bouillon powder, made up to 350ml/12fl oz stock with boiling water

227g can chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp tomato purée

400g can green lentil with no added salt, drained

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

650g Maris Piper or King Edward potato, roughly chopped

250g sweet potatoes, roughly chopped

2 tbsp half-fat crème fraîche

1 tbsp semi-skimmed milk

Method

Heat the oil in a large, deep sauté pan or saucepan. Tip in the onion and thyme sprigs and fry for 2-3 mins. Then add the carrots and fry together for 5-8 mins, stirring occasionally until the vegetables start to brown. Stir in the mince to break it down. Fry for 1-2 mins until no longer pink. Stir in the flour, scraping the bottom of the pan in case the meat sticks, then cook for another 1-2 mins. Pour in the stock and stir until thickened. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato purée, lentils and Worcestershire sauce and season with pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 45 mins, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, prepare the topping. Drop all the potatoes into a large pan of boiling water. Bring back to the boil, then simmer for 12-15 mins or until the potatoes are tender. Drain well in a colander then tip back into the pan. Mash with a masher or, briefly, with an electric hand mixer until smooth. Beat in the crème fraîche and milk with a wooden spoon until light and fluffy. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.

Spoon the meat into a 1.5 litre pie dish and remove the thyme sprigs. Top with the mash and smooth over with a knife. Use a fork to create a ridged pattern on top. Place the dish on a baking sheet and bake for about 20-25 mins until piping hot and the filling starts to bubble around the edges. If the top is not brown enough, pop it under the grill for 5 mins or so until the mash is crisp and golden. Let it sit for 5 mins then serve.