Tamale Pie
6 servings
80 minutes
Tamale pie is a heartfelt dish of American cuisine with Mexican roots. Its base is a soft cornmeal dough soaked in butter, while the filling is a savory mix of ground beef, tomatoes, and spices like chili and cumin. When baked, the pie develops a golden crispy crust that hides a rich aroma of meat and vegetables underneath. The tamale pie has a balanced flavor: the light sweetness of corn harmonizes with the spicy filling. This hearty and warming dish is perfect for family dinners or parties. It’s not difficult to prepare but requires patience and love for traditional culinary recipes. Serve it hot with herbs and sour cream to highlight its richness and depth of flavor.
1
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Grease a baking dish with 1 tablespoon of oil and set aside. Pour 1 liter of water into a pot and add 2 teaspoons of salt. Bring to a boil and slowly add the flour, stirring vigorously with a whisk. Reduce the heat and cook until thickened, stirring.
- Salt: to taste
- Corn flour: 1 glass
2
Add the remaining butter and stir until the mixture becomes homogeneous. Pour half of the mixture into a baking dish, spreading it across the bottom and sides. Cover the remaining half and keep it warm.
- Butter: 4 tablespoons
3
Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion, pepper, and minced garlic and cook until the vegetables are soft. Increase the heat, add minced meat, ground chili, and cumin. Fry the minced meat for about 5 minutes. Then add crushed canned tomatoes and cook until the liquid evaporates for 6-8 minutes.
- Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoons
- Onion: 1 head
- Green bell pepper: 1 piece
- Garlic: 1 clove
- Ground beef: 600 g
- Ground chili pepper: 1 tablespoon
- Ground cumin: 1 teaspoon
- Canned tomatoes: 1 jar
4
Spoon the filling into the baking dish, pour the remaining batter on top, and spread it evenly across the pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until crispy. Enjoy your meal!