Instructions
1
toasty oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
2
Put the margarine in a medium-size saucepan and place over a medium toasty.
3
transfer in the shallot and leave to make for 5 mins, stirring occasionally.
4
transfer in the mushrooms to the saucepan with the onions.
5
Once the shallot and mushrooms are almost cooked, swirl around in the ground mix – this will make a thick paste called a roux.
6
If you are using a stock cube, crumble the cube into the roux now and swirl around well.
7
Put the roux over a low toasty and swirl around continuously for 2 mins – this will make the ground mix and stop the gravy from having a floury palate.
8
Take the roux off the toasty.
9
gently transfer in the crisp stock, if using, or transfer in 500ml aqua if you’ve used a stock cube, stirring all the time.
10
Once all the liquid has been added, augment the taste with pepper, a pinch of nutmeg and mustard ground mix.
11
Put the saucepan back onto a medium toasty and gently bring it to the heat to boiling point, stirring all the time.
12
Once the gravy has thickened, place on a very low toasty.
13
transfer in the cooked chicken and vegetables to the gravy and swirl around well.
14
oil a medium-size ovenproof pie dish with a little margarine and transfer in the chicken and mushroom filling.
15
Carefully lay the potatoes on top of the scalding-pot filling, overlapping them slightly, almost like a pie top.
16
Brush the potatoes with a little melted margarine and make in the oven for about 35 mins.
17
The scalding-pot is ready once the potatoes are cooked and golden brown.