How to Make a Tamale Pie

A piece of Tamale Pie

If you love spicy beef dishes, then you'll love tamale pie. Here you'll learn how to make a delicious tamale pie recipe that will have people asking for second helpings.

Things You'll Need

• Vegetable cooking spray.
• 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef (90 percent)
• 1 medium chopped white onion
• 2 small minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp. crushed hot red pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 16 oz. of rinsed and drained canned pinto beans
• 16 oz. of canned crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup of corn kernels
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 3/8 tsp. black pepper (freshly ground)
• 3/4 cup of yellow cornmeal
• 1/2 cup of grated Muenster cheese (reduced fat)

Instructions

1. Begin by coating a large skillet with the vegetable cooking spray. Add the chopped white onion and cook over medium heat (stir frequently) until the onions begin to turn brown. This should take about 5 minutes.

2. Add the garlic cloves and cook the mixture for an additional minute.

3. Use your hands to crumble the beef into the skillet, all the while continuing to cook and stir the mixture over medium heat. Be sure to use the stirring spoon to break up any larger pieces of beef. Cook the mixture for 5 minutes, until the onions and the beef are browned.

4. Add the cumin, oregano and hot pepper then cook, stirring all the while for 1 minute

5. Add the corn, tomatoes, pinto beans, 1/4 tsp. of the pepper and 1/2 tsp. of the salt. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture is thickened.

6. Now remove the mixture from the heat and set it aside in a safe area.

7. Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.

8. In a medium bowl (make sure that it's heat-proof!) combine the remaining 1/8 tsp. pepper and 1/4 tsp. salt with the yellow cornmeal. Gradually stir or whisk in 1/2 cup of cold water until the mixture takes on a smooth texture.

9. Take this new cornmeal mixture and pour it into the boiling water in the medium saucepan. Cook this mixture over medium heat (stir constantly) until the cornmeal is rather tender, and the mixture has taken on a thick texture. This should take about 3 to 5 minutes.

10. Turn your attention to the oven, and preheat it to 350 degrees. Take a 9-inch baking dish and lightly coat it with vegetable cooking spray.

11. Gently spoon the beef mixture into the baking dish and spread the top of it evenly with the cooked cornmeal. Over the top of the cornmeal, evenly sprinkle the Muenster cheese.

12. Bake the tamale pie until the cornmeal crust is definitively set and dry in texture (about 30 to 40 minutes).The Muenster cheese should be brown in color. If possible, use a cooking thermometer to check that the center is very hot, a sign that it is ready. The completed recipe makes 6 servings.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure that you use a non-stick skillet.

• Wash your hands immediately after handling the beef.

• Make sure that you follow the heating directions.

• At no time should your face be near the skillet.

Resources

• CD kitchen has many tamale pie recipes