To avoid the instructions getting too confusing I have separated making the beef filling and the mashed potatoes into different sections. However, these two sections should be completed simultaneously.

Start by chopping the vegetables for the filling and then fit in chopping and cooking the potatoes while the filling is cooking.

Also, remember to pre-heat the oven while the filling is cooking on the hob.

Make the beef filling

• Chop the vegetables - Peel the root vegetables (500g) and chop into small chunks. Finely chop the onion (1 onion) and garlic (2 cloves).
• Heat half the olive oil (½ tbsp) in a large pan. Fry the mince (500g) until it browns. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Add the rest of the olive oil to the pan (½ tbsp). Add the chopped root vegetables and onion (not the garlic) and cook on a low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure that they don't burn.
• Add the garlic, flour (1 tbsp) and tomato purée (1 tbsp) and cook for a couple of minutes.
• Return the beef to the pan and add the port (2 tbsp), worcestershire sauce (1 tbsp), beef stock (800ml), bay leaves (2 leaves) and thyme (a few sprigs). Bring to the boil and cook uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally - You want the gravy to be quite thick, if there's a lot of liquid in the pan towards the end of the cooking time then turn up the heat a little. Similarly, if it's becoming too thick, then add a little more water to ensure it doesn't burn
• Season with salt and pepper - I prefer to season towards the end of the cooking time once the sauce has reduced
• Once cooked, remove the bay leaves and thyme stalks

Make the mashed potato

• Peel and chop the potatoes
• Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the potatoes for about 20 minutes, until soft
• Drain the potatoes and return to the pan
• Add the milk (75ml) and butter (30g) and mash until smooth
• Season with salt

Make the pie

• Pre-heat the oven to 220ºC/200ºC fan
• Grate the cheese (40g)
• Fill the base of an oven-proof dish with the beef filling and spread evenly
• Evenly spread the mashed potato onto of the beef filling
• Sprinkle over the grated cheese
• Cook for 25 minutes, then serve