Cozy Cottage Casserole

My grandmother was an amazing cook, but she somehow got even better when winter rolled in to Oslo. I remember Mormor making her version of a cottage pie on the darkest and coldest of winter nights. She used all of her favorite ingredients in the dish, ground beef, dill, mushrooms, and a rich cream sauce. All of this was of course topped with buttery mashed potatoes and baked in the oven in a big covered casserole with mountains of love and care. I’ve created this dish in a covered casserole dish and served it in coupe pasta bowls, both part of the Colorwave Collection by Noritake! The collection includes 16 colors (we used Slate!) and features a full array of items for dining, cooking, and entertaining.

Norwegian Cottage Pie

Serves 4

2 tablespoons butter

1 large yellow onion

1 small fennel, just the bulb

1 ½ pound ground beef

5 lbs mushrooms, quartered

Salt and pepper

½ cup chopped fresh dill

1 cup heavy cream

6 large russet potatoes

1 stick butter

Cranberries for serving

1. Heat the butter in a large pot and add onions and fennel, cook until onion goes soft.

2. Add the ground beef and mushrooms and cook until the meat has cooked though and is starting to get brown.

3. Season with salt and pepper and stir in dill and cream.

4. Let the mixture simmer on low for 10 minutes.

5. Peel and boil the potatoes in unsalted water until soft.

6. Drain of water and add butter, mash until smooth and season with salt.

7. Place your meat mixture in an ovenproof dish and top with mashed potatoes.

8. Place under broiler until golden. Serve with cranberries.

For over a century, Noritake has had a commitment to quality, design, and craftsmanship in tableware manufacturing.

Visit NoritakeChina.com to view the complete Colorwave Collection, featuring a variety of dining items, bakeware, serveware, and other accessories! Use code SWEETPAUL during checkout to receive 15 % off on your order!