Cottage Pie

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
5 medium potatoes (boiled and mashed)
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tablespoon butter or bacon fat
salt and pepper

Pre-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 2-3 minutes. Add broth and stir in herbs and seasonings. Return brown meat to skillet and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Transfer all ingredients to an ovenproof casserole. Top with mashed potatoes (scoring them with a fork.) Dot with butter and bake uncovered in 375-degree oven for 30-40 minutes.