A Flavorful Fusion of Beef, Pork, and Aromatic Spices, Topped with a Crispy Potato Layer.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef
  • 1 lb (450g) ground pork
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp (2g) ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) ground nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups (480ml) water or chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp (25g) brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the dish
  • 2 tbsp (20g) all-purpose flour
  • 4 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
  • Olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with butter.
  2. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and ground pork, breaking them up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned. Remove the cooked meat from the skillet and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  4. Return the browned meat to the skillet and mix it with the onions and garlic. Stir in the ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  5. Add the water or chicken broth to the skillet and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by about half. Stir in the brown sugar and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  6. In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the all-purpose flour to form a roux, and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously. Gradually whisk in a ladleful of the hot liquid from the meat mixture until smooth, then pour this thickened liquid back into the skillet, stirring to combine.
  7. Pour the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
  8. Layer the thinly sliced potatoes over the meat mixture, slightly overlapping them to create a shingled pattern. Drizzle the potatoes with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden and crispy, and the meat mixture is bubbling.
  10. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy this sweet and savory spiced meat and potato casserole as a comforting main course, paired with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables on the side.