Name: Slow cooker shepherd's pie
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil -; 1 onion, finely chopped -; 3-4 thyme sprigs -; 2 carrots, finely diced -; 250g lean (10%) mince lamb or beef -; 1 tbsp plain flour -; 1 tbsp tomato purée -; 400g can lentils, or white beans -; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce -; 650g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks -; 250g sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks -; 2 tbsp half-fat crème fraîche -

Ingredients for - Slow cooker shepherd's pie

1. 1 tbsp olive oil

2. 1 onion, finely chopped

3. 3-4 thyme sprigs

4. 2 carrots, finely diced

5. 250g lean (10%) mince lamb or beef

6. 1 tbsp plain flour

7. 1 tbsp tomato purée

8. 400g can lentils, or white beans

9. 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

10. 650g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

11. 250g sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

12. 2 tbsp half-fat crème fraîche

How to cook deliciously - Slow cooker shepherd's pie

1 . Stage

Heat the slow cooker if necessary. Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Tip the onions and thyme sprigs and fry for 2-3 mins. Then add the carrots and fry together, stirring occasionally until the vegetables start to brown. Stir in the mince and fry for 1-2 mins until no longer pink. Stir in the flour then cook for another 1-2 mins. Stir in the tomato purée and lentils and season with pepper and the Worcestershire sauce, adding a splash of water if you think the mixture is too dry. Scrape everything into the slow cooker.

2 . Stage

Meanwhile cook both lots of potatoes in simmering water for 12-13 minutes or until they are cooked through. Drain well and then mash with the crème fraîche. Spoon this on top of the mince mixture and cook on Low for 5 hours - the mixture should be bubbling at the sides when it is ready. Crisp up the potato topping under the grill if you like.