Let's get cooking!

Get the kids involved in rustling up these classic comforting dinners for the family.

Tasty cottage pies

■ Makes 4 ■ Prep 1 hr Cook 35 mins FREEZABLE

1 Slice then fry onions 

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Halve the onions on the chopping board using the sharp knife. Peel off the skins, then thinly slice the onions. Heat oil in a large frying pan, add the onions (take care the oil doesn't spit), then fry them until golden, stirring occasionally.

2 Add the meat

Add the mince, breaking up the block of meat with the wooden spoon until it looks like crumbs. Pour in a mug of water, crumble in the stock cubes, then measure in the brown sauce. Cover the pan and simmer on a low heat for 10 mins, stirring every now and then.

3 Prepare the veg

Boil a large pan of salted water, covered, on the hob. Peel the skin off the potatoes with a vegetable peeler, then cut into quarters on the chopping board. Trim the ends from the carrots, peel, then thickly slice.

4 Make the mash

When the water is boiling, add the potatoes and carrots (an adult should do it as the water will splash). Cover and simmer for 20 mins until the potatoes are soft when you stick a knife in. Drain, return to the pan with the butter and milk, then mash until smooth with an electric whisk or potato masher.

5 Spoon into the dishes