Cottage Pie (authentic Irish recipe)

Hearty, stick-to-your-ribs pie.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 2  lbs ground beef
• 1  tablespoon  oil
• 2  onions (finely chopped)
• 2  tomatoes (chopped)
• 1  cup  beef stock or 1  cup 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 1  tablespoon bacon fat

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Brown the beef in oil.
3. Remove from pan and set aside.
4. Drain most of the accumulated fat from the pan.
5. Sauté onions until tender, and then add chopped tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Add broth and stir in herbs and seasonings.
7. Return brown meat to skillet and continue cooking for 5 minutes.
8. Transfer all ingredients to an ovenproof casserole.
9. Top with mashed potatoes (scoring them with a fork.) Dot with butter and bake uncovered in 375-degree oven for 30-40 minutes.