HACHIS PARMENTIER OR FRENCH STYLE SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Boil potatoes in salted water until just tender, drain and use a potato masher to crush the potatoes.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil and 10g of the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat.
• When the butter has melted, add the bacon, stirring to separate the pieces.
• Now add the onion, garlic, bay leaf and thyme.
• Cook for about five minutes.
• Add the leek and celery as well as salt and pepper to taste.
• Reduce the heat, cover the pan and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until leeks are tender.
• Stir the chicken or beef into the vegetables.
• Add half the parsley and 50g of the breadcrumbs, stirred with the milk.
• Increase the heat, stirring as the meat changes color.
• Leave to cook for about 15 minutes, adding the rest of the parsley near the end of the cooking.
• Spoon the meat mixture into a casserole dish and top with the crushed potatoes.
• Mix the Gruyere with the remaining breadcrumbs.
• Sprinkle over the top and dot with butter, before cooking in a 350 F or 180 C oven for about 30 minutes or until golden and crusty on top.
• Serve immediately.