Tamale Pie
8 servings
75 minutes
Tamale pie is a delicious blend of traditional Mexican flavor and the American approach to comfort food. This layered pie features a harmony of spicy meat sauce, tender cornmeal mush, and zesty cheese. Its roots lie in Mexican cuisine where tamale is a classic dish made from corn flour wrapped in corn leaves. In this interpretation, the process is simplified while retaining rich flavor and nutrition. The combination of jalapeños, chili powder, and garlic adds spiciness to the filling, while the corn base contributes a light sweetness and airy texture. Tamale pie is perfect for a cozy family dinner and can be served on its own or complemented with fresh salsa and sour cream. It’s a dish that unites cultures and brings joy with every bite.
1
Preheat the oven to 190 degrees. In a 20 cm diameter pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over high heat and sauté the minced meat for 4 minutes, breaking up clumps with a wooden spatula.
- Vegetable oil: 3 tablespoons
- Ground beef: 450 g
2
Add the deseeded and finely chopped jalapeño, minced onion, and half of the salt, and sauté for 5 minutes. Then add chili powder, oregano, and minced garlic. After half a minute, add the rinsed beans, tomatoes with juice, corn, and cook for 3 minutes until the liquid evaporates. Season with pepper and set aside.
- Jalapeno pepper: 1 piece
- Onion: 1 head
- Salt: 0.3 teaspoon
- Chili powder: 2 tablespoons
- Fresh oregano leaves: 4 g
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Canned black beans: 450 g
- Canned tomatoes in pieces: 400 g
- Frozen corn kernels: 140 g
- Ground black pepper: to taste
3
Boil water in a large pot and add the second half of the salt. Then slowly add flour while stirring vigorously to avoid lumps. Turn to low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the flour thickens. After that, add the remaining oil and mix.
- Water: 2.5 glasss
- Salt: 0.3 teaspoon
- Corn flour coarse grinding: 0.8 glass
- Vegetable oil: 3 tablespoons
4
Add grated cheese to the minced meat, then place it in a deep baking dish. Spread corn porridge on top, pressing it tightly against the edges of the dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Monterey Jack Cheese: 110 g