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Scottish Mince and Tatties

If you're not of Scottish heritage, the first thing you're going to ask is "what is mince" and "what are tatties"? Well. let's get that out of the way right now... and neither of these words involves anything immoral or illegal. "Mince" is the word used in the United Kingdom for what we Americans call ground beef; they may sometimes use the term "beef mince" to be more specific. "Tatties" is a colloquial Scottish word for potatoes; in the southern U.S. the slang word "tater" or "taters" is often used, so you can sort of see the resemblance.

Mince and tatties is an old fashioned dish that is still made by many families today, especially during colder weather. It's not a particularly attractive looking meal, nor does it cost a lot to make, as it requires only a few simple ingredients. What appeals most to anyone who has tried it is its taste, which is an absolutely amazing combination of rich flavors that are simply unforgettable. This is the essence of comfort food - simple meals with great tastes that give you that warm-and-fuzzy feeling you miss when you've been away from home too long. After having it, it's not hard to understand why it remains so popular.

The original version of the recipe used in creating this dish was published in the U.K. with metric ingredient measurements. This version has converted these measurements to Imperial (U.S.) values, with some rounding up or down where it seemed appropriate. One key difference is the original called for a form of seasoning called an "Oxo cube"; in the U.S., these are more commonly known as bouillon cubes, and are sold in different sizes requiring additional adjustments.

Adapted from Something Sweet Something Savoury

Cooking Method
Difficulty Beginner
Time
Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
Servings 4
Best Season Winter
Description

A traditional Scottish comfort food requiring only a handful of ingredients but providing an amazing blend of flavors, perfect for colder weather.

Adapted from Something Sweet Something Savoury

Ingredients
    Mince
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (mince)
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes (3.5g each)
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 1 cup carrots, chopped
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Tatties
  • 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into large cubes
Instructions
    Mince
  1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef (mince) over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease. Crumble the bouillon cubes. Add the bouillon and onion to the meat, continuing to cook until the onion becomes translucent.

  2. Add carrots, beef stock, and Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture and mix well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

  3. Near the end of cooking, taste and season with salt and pepper if desired. If sauce has not thickened, add a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed in 1 tablespoon cold water and stir until thickened, repeating if needed

  4. Tatties
  5. Peel and slice potatoes, placing them in a large cookpot. Cover with water and add a small amount of salt.

  6. Boil potatoes for 10-15 minutes or until softened.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1-1/4 cup mince, 8 oz boiled tatties

Servings 4


Amount Per Serving
Calories 491kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 14.2g22%
Saturated Fat 5.6g28%
Cholesterol 539mg180%
Sodium 541mg23%
Potassium 1421mg41%
Total Carbohydrate 51.2g18%
Dietary Fiber 5.4g22%
Sugars 5.2g
Protein 38g76%

Calcium 5 mg
Iron 25 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Notes
  • Tatties are traditionally served boiled as in the recipe photo, but may also be mashed with butter and/or milk.
  • Nutritional information is for the mince and plain boiled tatties.
  • Powdered or granulated bouillon can be substituted for the bouillon cubes.
Keywords: Scottish, mince, ground beef, tatties, potatoes, carrots, comfort food, rich taste