Place the peeled and cut potatoes in medium sized pot. Cover potatoes with enough cold water and add salt. On high heat bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and cook potatoes until tender.

While the potatoes cook, melt the butter in a large sauté pan on medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until translucent tender (roughly 6 to 10 minutes). Tip: if adding vegetables, include them according to their cooking time. Carrots should be cooked along with the onions, as they take as long as the onions do.

Once onions and carrots are cooked to the pan or wok, add mince meat, Worcestershire sauce, stock/broth, tomato purée, herbs, paprika, cumin and nutmeg powder (optional) and season with salt and pepper. Stir frequently and cook until no longer pink. When the meat is fully cooked add the peas and cook for about a minute as peas take little time to cook. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes. Tip: if the pie filling looks dry add more stock/broth to prevent meat drying out.

Now check potatoes are cooked. Tip: when you can pierce it with a knife or fork, and it easily goes through and slides off. Turn of heat and remove the potatoes from the pot using a slotted spoon and place in a bowl.

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.

Taste the meat mixture and adjust seasoning if necessary (add more pepper, salt etc). Once the meat filling has reduced, turn off the heat. In a small bowl add corn flour and water. Mix and add to the mixture. Once the mixture is thickened to preference turn heat off.

To assemble, layer all of the meat mixture at the bottom of casserole dish.

Then spread the mash on top. To create texture rough up the surface of the mashed potatoes with a fork. If using grated cheese, sprinkle over the top of the mashed potato.

Place in the preheated oven and cook until bubbling and the surface has browned (roughly 30 minutes). If necessary, change the oven setting to grill for a few minutes towards the end to brown the tops.

Place a serving of Shepard's pie on a plate or bowl. Serve and eat immediately while hot. Tip: Pie can also be served with extra gravy and a side of green vegetables.