Tamale Pie

We checked out a new cookbook out from the library last week - Perfect One-Dish Dinners by Pam Anderson.  She has some great recipes in it and we found one that Leigh's Dad loves!  He's a very picky eater so it is always a challenge to find recipes that he likes.

Here's a link to the original recipe - Tamale Pie but of course we made some changes to it.  Here's our version:

Tamale Pie             Adapted from: Perfect One Dish Dinners by Pam Anderson

1 ½ lbs of ground beef or turkey

½ cup chopped onions

1 tsp olive oil

Salt & Pepper

2 tblsp plus 2 tsp chili powder, divided

1 can pinto beans, undrained (recipe calls for 1 ½ cans and ½ can mashed)

1 can (4.5 ounces) chopped green chilis, undrainged

1 jar (16 ounces) store bought salsa (2 cups)

½ cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided

1 cup cornmeal

1 cup (8 ounces) grated sharp cheddar cheese

Brown onions in oil add ground beeef and cook stirring frequently and seasoning with salt and pepper, until it looses it’s raw color.  Stir in 2 tablespoons chili powder, then beans, chilis, salsa and ¼ cup cilantro and simmer to blend flavors, about 5 minutes. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray and spread the meat mixture in it.

Preheat oven to 350˚.

Meanwhile, bring 3 cups water, cornmeal, remaining 2 tsps chili powder and 1 tsp salt to a boil in a medium saucepan, whisking frequently, until mixture thickens to mush.  Pour cornmeal mush over hot mixture, spreading with a spatula to completely cover. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven, sprinkle cheese and remaining cilantro over top and broil until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.

We've made this twice and really love it.  The first time we made it we added corn salsa to it and the second time we used Pace Picante sauce.

If you try it, let us know what you think!