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Tamale Pie

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Tamale PieRomulo Yanes

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    3 hr

  • Yield

    Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

For chili

4

tablespoons vegetable oil

2

lb boneless beef chuck or rump, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1

large onion, chopped

2

large fresh jalapeño chiles, seeded if desired and finely chopped

4

garlic cloves, finely chopped

2

teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1

teaspoon salt

3

tablespoons chili powder

1

teaspoon ground cumin

1

/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1

/4 teaspoon cayenne

1

(28-oz) can crushed tomatoes in purée

1

(10-oz) box frozen corn

1

1/2 cups water

1

(15- to 16-oz) can pinto or black beans, rinsed and drained

1

cup chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives

1

/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

For topping

1

cup all-purpose flour

1

cup yellow cornmeal (not coarse)

3

oz coarsely grated sharp Cheddar (3/4 cup)

1

1/2 tablespoons sugar

2

teaspoons baking powder

1

/2 teaspoon salt

1

/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1

/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

1

medium fresh jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped

3

/4 cup milk

3

tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1

large egg, lightly beaten

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Make chili:

    Step 1

    Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown beef in 4 batches, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes per batch, transferring with a slotted spoon to a bowl.

    Step 2

    Add remaining tablespoon oil to pot and sauté onion and jalapeños over moderately high heat, stirring, until onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate, then add garlic, cocoa powder, salt, and spices and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Return beef to pot with any juices that have accumulated in bowl and stir in tomatoes, corn, and water. Simmer chili, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until meat is very tender, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

    Step 3

    Remove from heat and stir in beans, olives, cilantro, and salt to taste. Transfer chili to a shallow 3-quart baking dish.

  2. Make topping:

    Step 4

    Preheat oven to 400°F.

    Step 5

    Whisk together flour, cornmeal, cheese, sugar, baking powder, salt, cumin, cilantro, and jalapeño in a large bowl.

    Step 6

    Whisk together milk, butter, and egg in a small bowl, then stir into flour mixture until just combined.

    Step 7

    Drop batter by large spoonfuls (about 8) over chili, spacing them evenly, and bake in middle of oven 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F and bake pie until topping is cooked through, about 30 minutes more.