One famous Mexican dish is the Tamales.
Tamales (also called Tamal or Tamale) is a Mexican dish made of a corn-based dough with various fillings, primarily beans, and ground meat. Traditionally, it is wrapped and cooked using corn husks and removing them before eating.
This home cook created a tamale dish with a twist.
She mixed beef enchilada and cornbread mix to make a tamale “pie.” She didn’t want to call it pie, but if we stick to the very definition of pie – a pastry top and base with fruit or meat filling – this definitely deserves the name.
So, how do you make this delectable Tamale Pie?
First, you need to cook the filling, which is the beef enchilada.
Here are the ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp oil
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 beef bouillon cube
- 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8 fl. oz water
- 1 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Heat the oil and sauté the beef.
If you’re not using lean ground beef – say, an 80-20 meat-to-fat ratio – you skip the oil and just heat the pan.
Next, you can add the beef bouillon cube if you like.
If not, you can skip this step and proceed with adding the spices. Place the garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin. Add some chili powder, depending on your preference. If you want more kick in it, add half a tablespoon and see if you like it.
Then, add the flour and eight ounces of water.
Simmer for about five minutes. This will create a thicker consistency of your beef enchilada. You can add more water if you think it’s too thick. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Now it’s time to make the cornbread mix. Here are the ingredients:
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 14.75 oz can of creamed corn
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 to 2 large jalapeños diced
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Mix all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Then, add the wet ingredients.
Add the egg, oil, milk, and creamed corn. The size indicated is based on a store-bought can so check the label when you buy one.
Add cheese and diced jalapeños.
Like the chili powder, add jalapeños according to your preference. This recipe was created with just a mild spiciness to it since she’s cooking for her kids, too. So, just carefully estimate how much you pour in.
Time to assemble the pie on a buttered rectangular baking dish.
Place half of the cornbread mix as the base of this pie.
Spread evenly throughout the pan.
Next, pour in the beef enchilada, add some shredded cheese, and spread evenly.
Pour in the remaining cornbread mix and spread to cover the entire dish.
Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes.
Once you see it baked to a golden brown, take it out of the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before you serve.
Finally, get a slice of that Tamale Pie. Top with a generous amount of sour cream and spring onions.
There you have it. A delicious way of enjoying a Tamale Pie.
See the full tutorial in the video below!
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