Crispy topped Cumberland pie

Crispy topped Cumberland pie

This crisp, potato-topped pie is slow-cooked and inexpensive to make. It's a great family meal but smart enough for entertaining too

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 5

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 45 mins

Cook time

Cook 3 hrs - 3 hrs 50 mins

Freezable

Freeze assembled or cooked

Method

  1. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Soften the celery, onion, carrots, bay and 1 thyme sprig in a casserole with 1 tbsp oil and the butter for 10 mins. Stir in the flour, followed by the purée, Worcestershire sauce and stock cubes.
  2. Gradually stir in 600ml hot water, then tip in the beef and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook in the oven for 2 hrs 30 mins, then uncover and cook for 30 mins -1 hr more until the meat is really tender and sauce thickened.
  3. Meanwhile, cook potatoes in a pan of boiling water until they're not done but about ¾ of the way there.
  4. Transfer meat to a baking dish. Slice spuds into 1cm thick rounds and gently toss with seasoning, the remaining oil and thyme leaves. Layer on the beef, scattering with the cheese as you layer. You can cover and chill the pie now for 1 day, or freeze for up to 3 months.
  5. Increase oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and bake for 30-40 mins until golden and crispy, and sauce bubbling if the dish went in cold. Serve with peas.

PER SERVING

486 kcalories, protein 34g, carbohydrate 41g, fat 21 g, saturated fat 9g, fibre 4g, sugar 8g, salt 1.8 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, March 2012.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 21-40

  • 15 March 2012

    steven83 rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    very tasty...I will try again!

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  • 27 March 2012

    Mike rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Very good! Found that I needed more liquid to stop it drying out, but went down a treat.

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  • 08 April 2012

    Louise rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Really tasty - did it for a supper party. Was great as prepared it in advance.

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  • 09 April 2012

    Nelly Sheader rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Very tasty, meat just melted in your mouth and gravy was moreishly rich. Cooked for 5 Adults who unfortunately were left wanting more! will have to increase ingredients if making for more than 4. Will definately be making again.

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  • 26 April 2012

    Claire rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 05 May 2012

    Katie rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Lovely recipe, freezes well, says serves 5 but I think this is over zealous... 4 decent portions to my mind! lovely lovely and a staple in our house now.

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  • 13 May 2012

    Yum Yum Young rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I made this recipe earlier this year for my husband and I. It was such a hit I'm making it for my parents who are coming for dinner today. So tasty!

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  • 24 May 2012

    JOOLES commented on this recipe

    I was wondering if this could be made using left over roast beef. Just dont simmer for as long as 2hr 30 but say for one hour and then put the pots on top and finish in the oven....

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  • 04 June 2012

    Lipstick Loves commented on this recipe

    Another super recipe! I added some marmite to mine and blogged it at: http://lipstickloves.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/thai-beef-curry.html

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  • Binder photo Maz

    25 September 2012

    Maz rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Top notch!! Really tastey everyone loved it definitely 5*

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  • 29 September 2012

    Irene commented on this recipe

    This was lovely, it has become a family favourite and I am making it for my friends birthday dinner on Monday.

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  • 05 October 2012

    Victoria commented on this recipe

    Fantastic, made two for a crowd and was delicious, easy too.

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  • 08 October 2012

    nick rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Really tasty but I would use a little less Tomato paste next time.

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  • 11 October 2012

    Lydiat. rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    " Really good recipe to use with casserole steak. I didn't use the Worcestershire sauce as it's a bit strong for my taste. For the potatoes, I put in oven as described and didn't use the cheese, but brushed with melted butter, turned out a golden brown. Fantastic meal, will def do again!

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  • 16 October 2012

    Esther Mary rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This was delicious and easy to make. Yum Yum, will add this to the 'make again' list.

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  • 06 December 2012

    thandiviljoen rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 06 January 2013

    dale7munday commented on this recipe

    I was unsurewhen preping this but it was amazing! 5 star all the way!

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  • 25 January 2013

    nickyb rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    This is a real success & really enjoyed by my family. As I didn't have any Worcestershire sauce I used soy sauce and seemed to work really well. Of course this dish is lovely the next day warmed up.

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  • 05 February 2013

    Laura rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 02 May 2013

    meatpief rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    very tasty and easy to make. Made it as the recipe states and aded a bit of cubed potato to the stew bit. I made it for a party of eight and everyone enjoyed it...winner. Lovely with some butter crusty loaf, nice an rustic.

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 5

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 45 mins

Cook time

Cook 3 hrs - 3 hrs 50 mins

Freezable

Freeze assembled or cooked

Ingredients

  • 2 celery sticks, sliced into 1cm pieces
  • 1 onion , chopped
  • 2 really big carrots , halved lengthways then chunkily sliced
  • 5 bay leaves
  • 3 thyme sprigs
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp each plain flour, tomato purée and Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 beef stock cubes , crumbled
  • 850g feather blade beef , or other braising cut, cut into large chunks
  • 850g large potatoes
  • 25g each mature cheddar and Parmesan , finely grated
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PER SERVING

486 kcalories, protein 34g, carbohydrate 41g, fat 21 g, saturated fat 9g, fibre 4g, sugar 8g, salt 1.8 g

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