Cottage Pie (authentic Irish recipe)

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 onions (finely chopped)
• 2 tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 cup beef stock or bouillon
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon sage
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• salt and pepper
• 5 medium potatoes (boiled and mashed)
• 1 tablespoon butter or bacon fat

Directions

1. 1

   Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

2. 2

   Brown the beef in oil.

3. 3

   Remove from pan and set aside.

4. 4

   Drain most of the accumulated fat from the pan.

5. 5

   Sauté onions until tender, and then add chopped tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes.

6. 6

   Add broth and stir in herbs and seasonings.

7. 7

   Return brown meat to skillet and continue cooking for 5 minutes.

8. 8

   Transfer all ingredients to an ovenproof casserole.

9. 9

   Top with mashed potatoes (scoring them with a fork.) Dot with butter and bake uncovered in 375-degree oven for 30-40 minutes.