Cottage Pie

2 lbs ground beef
1 T oil
2 onions, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 C beef stock or bouillon
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp sage
1 T chopped parsley
salt and pepper
5 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed
1 T butter or bacon fat

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brown the beef in oil. Remove from pan and set aside. Drain most of the accumulated fat from the pan. Sauté onions until tender and then add chopped tomatoes and cook for two to three minutes. Add broth and stir in herbs and seasonings.
Return browned meat to skillet and continue cooking for five minutes. Transfer all ingredients to an ovenproof casserole. Top with mashed potatoes (scoring them with a fork.) Dot with butter and bake uncovered in a 375-degrees oven for 30 to 40 minutes.