The humble cottage pie reimagined

THE humble cottage pie was another nutritious meal from my childhood and was always a favourite of mine. However, during the passage of time I have developed a love-hate relationship with this dish because of the memories it evokes. 

At the beginning of my nurse training it was compulsory to live-in for the first year. The accommodation and food costs were deducted from our salary.

However, we were happy not to have to worry about cooking and at least we were sustained to cope with the working week of 46 hours.

Cottage pie was served in the dining room but, alas, it was a poor substitute for my mum’s, with its lumpy potatoes. 

Contractual changes for nurses started to emerge for us in that first year. One change called “Pay As You Eat” caused much dissension and  staff were boycotting the dining room.

It was sold to us on the premise of an increase in our pay, which did not cover the cost of meals.

During one night before an open day event in the hospital grounds someone had painted ‘HUNGRY NURSES’ at the top of the nurses’ home. That was then the end of cottage pie for me, as I certainly was not going to pay for it! 

A record of practical instruction 1968-1972

Tonsillectomy was a common paediatric operation at that time. When caring for children post surgery it was an important role of the junior nurse to ensure swallowing a soft diet was established as soon as possible.

Acting as loco-parentis in the then-limited visiting hours, I clearly remember children trying to swallow cottage pie with the lumps in the potato. Observed by an eagle-eyed Sister, I needed all my persuasive negotiating skills.

It was only the promise of jelly and ice cream to follow that helped in some cases.

I can still see their sad faces and wonder of their own memories of that time. 

So... what happened to the cottage pie I once loved?

It turned into my version of a baked mince baked pie.

Linda's recipe