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February 2011

More Meals

Toddler Meal

Holly Sisson Photography

Beef Pies with Cauli-mash Topping

Makes 8 small dishes (freeze extras)

You'll Need

½ large cauliflower, washed and trimmed
1 Tbsp Olive oil
Sea salt
1 Tbsp Grapeseed oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 large carrot, finely chopped
1 lb (.453 kg) extra lean ground beef
1 900ml jar pasta/tomato sauce
½ cup frozen corn
2 tsp butter
Milk
2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Prep and Cook

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly oil 6–8 small oven-proof dishes (ramekins are perfect).
On rimmed baking sheet, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil and salt and arrange in a single layer.
Bake, uncovered, for 20–25 minutes or until lightly browned.
In a large skillet or pot, heat Grapeseed oil over medium-high heat.
Stir in onion, garlic and carrots and sauté until softened (6–8 min).
Add ground beef to the skillet, crumble and cook until lightly browned.
Pour in tomato sauce and corn and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until sauce has thickened (8–10 min).
Divide mixture between the dishes.
Place roasted cauliflower, butter, milk and parmesan cheese in a food processor (or mash by hand) and puree until it is the consistency of mashed potatoes.
Top each meat pie with roasted cauliflower mash.

Good to know: It’s a good idea to double up your meat sauce recipe and freeze it in individual portions so you have it on hand for single serve toddler meals.

Did you try the Toddler Meal?
What do you think?

Add your comments, positive or negative, as well as any tips or substitutions, here.

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Comments

Posted by wendy snowdon on February 28, 2011 at 05:42 AM

I tried the meat pies tonight, substituting beef for ground turkey thigh that I had on hand. Delicious, and a success with toddler (especially as I used heart-shaped ramekins), dad and myself. I will definitely use this one again in the colder weather.

It did seem as if the instructions finished too early though; I topped with the cauliflower mash and then placed under the grill for five more minutes. Then waited for the ramekins to be cool to the touch before serving to a three-year old.
Posted by Denise Smith on February 28, 2011 at 02:28 PM

We are so happy to hear your toddler loved the meat pie. I have tried the recipe two different ways. If your cauliflower topping is still hot and the meat pie filling is still hot, you can serve as is. However, if either has been sitting for awhile you are correct to assume that they would need to be re-heated in the oven (either under broil or bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until heated through).