Tamale Pie

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
• 1 lb ground chuck
• 1 large green bell pepper, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels (about 2 ears) or 1 cup fresh corn kernels (about 2 ears)
• 1 (14 ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese (about 1/2 pound)
• 1/4 lb fresh plum tomato, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped scallion (green onions, 2 to 3 medium)

Recipe

• 1 preheat the oven to 350 degrees. butter a 2-quart casserole or souffle dish.
• 2 in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. add the garlic, onion, and ground beef, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and the beef begins to brown, about 10 minutes.
• 3 stir in the green pepper, corn, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and 1 teaspoon of the salt. reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes.
• 4 meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring the milk almost to a boil over medium heat. add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt. whisking constantly, gradually add the cornmeal. reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 5 minutes. remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheese.
• 5 line the sides and bottom of the prepared casserole with two-thirds of the cornmeal mixture. pour in the meat filling and top with the remaining cornmeal mixture, spreading it evenly.
• 6 sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheese on top. arrange the fresh tomato slices over the cheese. bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes.
• 7 sprinkle the scallions on top and bake for 5 minutes longer.