Belated Promised Blog Post

So, I neglected to put up the promised blog post a couple weeks ago.  Tonight's post is an attempt to make up for it (I will eventually post the recipe from dinner that night a couple weeks ago!).  My family (on dad's side) is from England.  My dad is a naturalized citizen, so I am technically first generation American!  Growing up, we always enjoyed "English" meals- roast beef and yorkshire puddings, boiled beef and taters, Christmas cake (fruit cake on steroids- that actually tastes AMAZING!) and various other sundry meals and food items.  One of my favorite has always been Mince Meat.  And no, I'm not talking about mince pie (yuck!!!  I still remember my first and most likely LAST taste of mince pie!), I'm talking MINCE MEAT people!!  A wonderful, and delicious beef and veggie gravy over mashed potatoes!  Its heaven!!  So, in honor of my Gran (dad's mom who passed away from cancer a month ago tomorrow) we are having Mince Meat for supper tonight- and I am passing along a childhood favorite!  So, here is the "recipe" (by now you should have figured out I don't really cook according to "recipes"- unless is something that I believe CANNOT be done any other way!!) and I hope it leaves you with as many fond memories as it has me!

Mince Meat

1 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
3-4 med-large carrots, chopped
2-3 stalks celery, chopped
5-7 potatoes, cubed, boiled and mashed (or you can use instant if you prefer!) ;)
4-5 C beef broth/stock (I use beef broth powder and some onion soup mix!)
1-2 Tbs cold water
1-2 Tbs flour (same amount of flour as water to thicken gravy)

Brown ground beef and onion in a large saucepan.  Add chopped carrots and celery and stir to mix with beef/onions.  Add beef broth/stock. Bring to boil and simmer until carrots and celery are tender.  Mix cold water and flour to make a semi-runny paste.  Slowly stir into beef mix and let simmer till cooked to desired thickness.  If necessary, you can make and add more flour paste to thicken more, or add a little water to dilute gravy.  Serve over mashed potatoes with garlic bread (or whatever type of bread or rolls you prefer) on the side.

Enjoy!