Hari Ghotra is founder and mumtrepreneur of cookery portal www.harighotra.co.uk which launched in 2013. It features hundreds of easy to follow, North Indian recipes. This Summer 2016, Hari is delighted to be taking on the role of Chef at Tamarind’s new restaurant, Tamarind Kitchen. As well as that, she also contributes to the Great British Chefs website.

Ghotra was raised in an environment where food played a central role in family life, learning to cook authentic dishes from her mother. Her passion for simplifying Indian cookery without losing its authenticity meant that after creating the website, she branched out into cookery lessons. Hari quickly identified that preparing kits with the exact quantities of spices helped make curry-cooking easy for consumers. Her aim is to always provide a quick and simple way to cook delicious, authentic Indian food at home.

Keema Pie

Indian Inspired Shepherd’s pie

• 2 tbsp oil
  • 500g lean mince lamb
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 400g/1 tin of plum tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp ginger, grated
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds, crushed
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 1-2 chillies, finely chopped (optional)
  • 100g frozen peas
  • 10 mushrooms quartered
  • 7 large floury potatoes, peeled and chopped into chunks
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 40g butter
    • 3 tbsp Milk
    • 1 tsp garam masala
    • handful of fresh coriander, chopped
      • 2 spring onions, chopped

1. Heat oil in a wide based pan and add the diced onion to cook leave to saute for 5 minutes before adding the garlic.  Stir and continue to cook for about 10 minutes  until the onions are golden brown in colour. If the onion catches reduce the heat and add a dash of water.
2. Once browned reduce the heat and add the tomatoes, ginger, salt, turmeric, cumin and chilli (optional).
3. Stir together and cook to reduce until the tomatoes break down into the sauce (about 5 minutes). All the ingredients should melt together with the spices creating the aromatic masala paste.
4. Turn the heat up and add the mushrooms and cook for a few minutes before adding the mince. 
5. Stir to coat the mince with the sauce. Once coated reduce the heat and leave it to cook for about 15 minutes.
6. Stir in the frozen peas and leave to cook for a further 5 minutes.
7. Remove from the heat and spoon into a casserole dish and leave to cool a little.
8. Pre-heat your oven to 180ºC. Cover the potatoes with cold water and add a little salt. Bring this to the boil then reduce the heat and leave the potatoes to cook until soft. Once cooked drain and place back in the pan.
9. Add a little salt, butter and pour in a little milk (add as and when required) and mash the potatoes to create a firm mash.
10. Sprinkle in the garam masala.
11. Place the masala mash on top of the mixture and place in the oven for about 25-30 minutes until it’s bubbling.
12. Sprinkle with fresh green coriander and chopped spring onions to serve.