Companion Hachis Parmentier

• 700 grams red-skinned potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 kg minced beef
• 1 tbsp flour
• 400 grams tomato passata
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 2 tsp thyme leaves
• 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
• salt and white pepper, to taste
• 100 ml milk
• 2-3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
• melted butter, extra to brush the mashed potato
• steamed green beans, to serve

This recipe is part of the #JulyinFrance recipe collection created by Lorena Lys.

The Hachis Parmentier, or Hachis, is a dish made from mashed potatoes and ground beef. It is the French version of shepherd’s pie which initially consists of diced meat mixed with lyonnaise sauce and stuffed into potato shells, covered with mashed potato and baked. This gratin owes its name to the nutritionist, Antoine Parmentier, who, convinced that potatoes could effectively fight the famine, had Louis XVI taste it. The Hachis Parmentier is born in Paris and is served in a lot of bistro and breweries.

1. For the mashed potatoes – Pour in 700 mls of water into the Cuisine Companion bowl and place potatoes in the steaming basket. Launch the Steam Program for 30 minutes. 2. When the potatoes are cooked, empty the water from the bowl and attach the whisk. Add the potatoes and mix at speed 6 for 30 seconds. Add the milk, butter, cheese, salt and pepper and mix at speed 6 for a further 30 seconds. Set aside whilst you make the filling. 3. Heat oil in Ingenio saute pan and cook onions over low heat until soft. Add beef, breaking up the mince and cook over medium heat for a further 3 minutes. Scatter flour on top of mince and continue cooking for another 3 minutes until meat in no longer pink. 4. Add tomato passata, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, thyme and parsley. Cook for another 3 minutes and season with salt and pepper to taste. Leave to cool slightly. 5. Once cooled, spread the mashed potato over the beef mixture. Brush the mashed potato with melted butter and bake in a 180 degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden. 6. Spoon out portions and serve with green beans.