Barbara Callaway’s Tamale Pie

While I was a student at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in the late 1960s, a friend served this at a small dinner party. I thought it wonderful and it has since become part of my basic recipe collection. However, when outside the US, there is always the problem of finding cornbread mix. I, therefore, provide a recipe for cornbread, but I have never found it as good as the mix.  (Serves 4-6 people.)

1 medium sized onion, chopped

1 green pepper, diced

1 cup diced mushrooms (fresh if you can get them)

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 pound lean ground beef

1 large clove of garlic, minced

5 teaspoons chili powder*

1 bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup tomato sauce

1 small can (8 ounces) corn - creamed corn is best, but kernels will do

1/2 cup chopped olives

• In a large heavy frying pan, sauté onion, green pepper and mushrooms in olive oil. 
• Add the meat and brown well. 
•  Add garlic, chili powder, bay leaf, salt and pepper. 
• Then add the corn, tomato sauce and olives. 
• Simmer, uncovered, for an hour, until most of the liquid has evaporated. 
• Put the mixture into a large casserole.

Chili Powder

Chili Powder is not just ground chiles. It is a mix of spices used for making Chili.  To make your own chili powder, mix together (or grind together in a mortar) the following:

1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano 
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Topping

1 package cornbread mix.** 

• Follow directions for making cornbread. Usually calls for milk. 
• Evenly spread cornbread mixture on top of meat in casserole
• The cornbread may sink into the mixture. This doesn’t matter. It will rise when baking. 
• Bake 20-25 minutes in a hot oven (400 degree Fahrenheit).

 

** To make your own Cornbread:

3/4 cup cornmeal

1 tablespoon flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 beaten egg

1/3 cup milk

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• Mix dry ingredients together. 
• Add beaten egg and milk and stir lightly. 
• Stir in vegetable oil.