My Grandma Taught Me This 100-years-old Recipe, Most Delicious Potatoes and Ground Beef I’ve Ever Eaten

The Aroma of Home: My Grandma’s 100-Year-Old Secret for the Most Delicious Comfort Food

The scent of caramelized onions and sizzling ground beef never fails to transport me back to my childhood kitchen. It’s a sensory time machine, instantly conjuring up images of my grandma, her apron dusted with flour, a mischievous glint in her eye as she taught me the secrets of her legendary cooking. Today, I’m sharing one of her most prized possessions: a 100-year-old recipe for a dish that transcends mere description.

It’s not quite a shepherd’s pie, with its comforting layer of mashed potatoes. It’s not quite a potato gratin, with its decadent cheese sauce. It’s a harmonious blend of both, a symphony of textures and flavors that will leave you weak in the knees. Imagine a bed of savory ground beef, bursting with the earthy tones of sage and the sweetness of caramelized onions. Nestled on top, a layer of thinly sliced potatoes bathed in a creamy, cheesy sauce that crisps to golden perfection in the oven. Each bite is a nostalgic journey, a heartwarming combination that whispers of simpler times and the love that filled our kitchen.

Ready to embark on this culinary adventure? Let’s dust off grandma’s recipe book and recreate a taste of history in your own kitchen!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon pork lard (or any oil you prefer)
• 1 pound (450g) lean ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or milk
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 handfuls spinach (optional)
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 7-9 mushrooms, sliced (optional)
• 4 potatoes, thinly sliced4
• ounces (115g) Gruyère cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Heat the lard or oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
3. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Season the ground beef and onion mixture with salt, black pepper, thyme, and sage.
5. Stir in the minced garlic and Worcestershire sauce, then cook for another minute.
6. If using, add the sliced mushrooms and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
7. Incorporate the spinach (if using) and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
8. Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the skillet.
9. Arrange the thinly sliced potatoes in a single layer over the meat mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Pour the heavy cream or milk evenly over the potatoes. Top generously with the grated Gruyère cheese.
11. Cover the skillet tightly with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 60-75 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
12. Uncover the skillet and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
13. Let the dish cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Tips

• For a richer flavor, use a mixture of ground beef and ground pork.
• If you don’t have Gruyère cheese, you can substitute it with another Swiss cheese or even cheddar cheese.
• Feel free to add other vegetables to this dish, such as diced carrots, peas, or corn.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

This recipe is not just about the deliciousness, it’s about the memories and love that come with it. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this dish with your loved ones as much as I do!