Tamale Pie

== Description ==
This is adapted from James Beard's great Tamale Pie recipe. It looks splendid cooked and brought to the table in a colorful casserole.
* Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
* Source: The Fannie Farmer Cookbook by Marion Cunningham
* Serves 6
== Ingredients ==
* 4 cups water
* 1½ cups yellow cornmeal
* 2 cups cold water
* 3 tsp salt
* ¼ - ½ cup butter or lard
* ½ lb bulk sausage
* 2 tbsp chili powder
* ½ tsp ground cumin
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 to 1½ cups finely chopped onions
* 1 small green pepper, seeded and chopped
* 1 cup finely chopped celery
* 1½ lbs ground beef
* 3 cups canned Italian plum tomatoes, or 4 cups peeled and seeded fresh tomatoes
* 2 cups fresh, frozen, or canned corn kernels
* 4 oz canned, mild green chiles, diced
* 1 tsp minced jalapeño pepper (optional)
* 1 cup pitted ripe olives
* 2 cups grated medium or sharp cheddar cheese
== Directions ==
# Bring the water to a boil in a 3-quart saucepan.
# Meanwhile, stir the cornmeal into the 2 cups of cold water (this helps prevent lumping) and stir this into the boiling water.
# Continue to stir while the water returns to a boil.
# Turn the heat to low, stir in 1½ t of the salt and the butter, cover, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, stirring often.
# In a large frying pan, mash the sausage and cook over medium heat until it begins to lose color.
# Add the chili powder and cumin, stir, and cook about 5 minutes.
# Add the garlic, onions, green pepper, celery and remaining salt.
# Stir and cook until the vegetables are limp.
# Crumble the beef into the pan and mash and cook until the raw color disappears.
# Add the tomatoes, corn, and green chilies (and jalapeño pepper, if used), and let the mixture simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
# Grease or oil a large baking pan at least 10 x 14 x 2 inches.
# Spread ⅔ of the cornmeal mixture on the bottom and sides of the pan.
# Spoon in the filling and distribute the olives evenly over.
# Spoon the remaining cornmeal over the top and sprinkle with the cheese.
# Bake in a 350°F oven for about 1 hour.
Category:Cathy's Recipes
Category:Casserole Recipes
Category:Cornmeal Recipes
Category:Sausage Recipes
Category:Chili powder Recipes
Category:Onion Recipes
Category:Green bell pepper Recipes
Category:Celery Recipes
Category:Ground beef Recipes
Category:Tomato Recipes
Category:Plum tomato Recipes
Category:Corn Recipes
Category:Chile pepper Recipes
Category:Jalapeno pepper Recipes
Category:Black olive Recipes
Category:Cheddar Recipes