How to Make Delicious Tamale Pie

Tamale pie is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you are hosting a family dinner or a potluck party, this dish is sure to be a hit among your guests. The best part about making a tamale pie is that it is incredibly versatile and customizable, so you can add your own personal touch to it.

Making a tamale pie is a lot easier than you may think. All you need to do is create a base layer of cornmeal mixture, followed by a layer of meat, beans, vegetables, and cheese. Then, simply bake it in the oven until it is golden brown and bubbling with deliciousness. With a little bit of creativity and some basic ingredients, you can create a mouth-watering tamale pie that will have your guests coming back for seconds.

Introduction:

Tamale pie is a classic comfort food that is easy to prepare and always delicious. It’s a Mexican-American dish that is a favorite for many families due to its simplicity and versatility. If you’re looking for a dish that is easy to make and will satisfy even the pickiest eaters, then tamale pie is the way to go.

In this article, we’ll show you how to make tamale pie, step-by-step. We’ll go over all the ingredients you’ll need, as well as different variations you can try to make the dish your own. So, let’s get started.

Subheading 1: Gather Your Ingredients

The first step to making any dish is to gather your ingredients. For tamale pie, you’ll need the following:

– Ground beef or turkey (1 lb)
– Onion (1 small, diced)
– Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
– Cumin (1 tsp)
– Chili powder (1 tsp)
– Salt and black pepper (to taste)
– Cornmeal (1 cup)
– All-purpose flour (1 cup)
– Baking powder (1 tbsp)
– Eggs (2)
– Milk (1 cup)
– Oil (1/2 cup)
– Cheddar cheese (1 cup, shredded)

Subheading 2: Cook the Meat

The first step in making tamale pie is to cook the meat. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef or turkey. Cook until browned, stirring occasionally, and then add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender.

Subheading 3: Season the Meat

After the meat is cooked, it’s time to season it. Add the cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the spices are fragrant.

Subheading 4: Prepare the Cornmeal Mixture

While the meat is cooking, prepare the cornmeal mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and oil. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Subheading 5: Layer the Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer the cooked meat on the bottom of the dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the meat.

Subheading 6: Pour in the Cornmeal Mixture

Pour the cornmeal mixture over the cheese, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Make sure to cover the cheese and meat completely.

Subheading 7: Bake the Tamale Pie

Bake the tamale pie for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the cornmeal mixture is set. You can check if it’s done by inserting a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, the pie is done.

Subheading 8: Let It Rest

Once the tamale pie is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will allow the pie to set and make it easier to cut into.

Subheading 9: Serve and Enjoy

Cut the tamale pie into squares and serve hot. You can garnish with chopped green onions, cilantro, or sour cream, depending on your liking. This dish is great for a family dinner or potluck, and it’s sure to please everyone’s taste buds.

Subheading 10: Variations

Tamale pie is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. You can add different vegetables, like bell peppers or corn, to the meat mixture for added flavor and nutrition. You can also replace the ground beef or turkey with shredded chicken or beans for a vegetarian option. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!

Conclusion:

Tamale pie is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With just a few simple ingredients and some easy steps, you can have a hearty meal that everyone will love. So, give it a try and enjoy the comfort of this classic American-Mexican dish.

Ingredients for Tamale Pie

Tamale pie is a popular dish that has its origins in the Mexican cuisine. It is a savory dish that is made with cornbread and various fillings such as beef, chicken, beans, and vegetables. The dish is incredibly easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. In this section, we will go over the ingredients that you’ll need to make a delicious tamale pie.

1. Cornmeal

Cornmeal is the main ingredient for making the cornbread base of the tamale pie. Cornmeal is made by grinding dried corn kernels into a granular form, and it comes in two varieties, yellow and white. Either one can work in this recipe, but yellow cornmeal is the traditional choice for tamale pie.

2. Baking Powder

Baking powder is a leavening agent that is added to the cornmeal to help it rise. It is a combination of baking soda, cream of tartar, and sometimes cornstarch. Make sure you use fresh baking powder to ensure that your tamale pie turns out perfect.

3. Salt

Salt is an essential ingredient in any recipe, and tamale pie is no exception. It helps to enhance the flavors of all the other ingredients in the dish.

4. Sugar

Sugar is often added to the cornbread base to balance out the flavors. It gives the cornbread a slightly sweet taste, which pairs nicely with spicy or savory fillings.

5. Butter

Butter is used to add richness and flavor to the cornbread base. It is melted and mixed into the batter before baking.

6. Milk

Milk is added to the cornbread batter to give it a smooth and creamy consistency. You can use any type of milk, including whole, skim, or almond milk.

7. Ground Beef

Ground beef is the traditional filling for tamale pie. It is cooked with onions, garlic, and spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika. You can also use ground chicken, turkey, or pork as a substitute.

8. Red Enchilada Sauce

Red enchilada sauce is used to flavor the ground beef and give it a rich, savory taste. You can use store-bought sauce or make your own with tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, and other spices.

9. Corn

Corn is a classic tamale pie filling. It adds a sweet crunch to the dish and pairs well with the savory beef. You can use canned, frozen, or fresh corn.

10. Cheese

Cheese is used to sprinkle on top of the tamale pie to give it a delicious crispy topping. You can use any type of shredded cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend.

In conclusion, these are the essential ingredients for making a delicious tamale pie. The great thing about this dish is that you can mix and match the fillings to your liking. You can add beans, peppers, or even jalapenos to spice things up. The sky’s the limit, so get creative and enjoy your tamale pie!

Ingredients

Before making tamale pie, you need to have the necessary ingredients. The ingredients can be broadly divided into two categories: the filling and the tamale dough. Below is a table showing the ingredients required for the filling and the tamale dough.

Instructions

Once you have gathered the necessary ingredients, it’s time to begin making tamale pie. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Brown the meat

Take a large skillet and add the ground beef. Cook on medium-high heat until it’s brown, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the excess grease from the skillet. Add the chopped onions, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the veggies are tender.

Step 2: Add the canned ingredients

Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, drained kernel corn, black olives, and sliced jalapenos to the skillet. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes. Your filling is ready!

Step 3: Make the tamale dough

Preheat your oven to 375°F. To make the tamale dough, take a medium-sized bowl and mix the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate saucepan, melt the shortening/lard and chicken broth. Now, add the melted shortening/lard and chicken broth to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until you have a smooth, lump-free mixture.

Step 4: Assemble and bake

In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the tamale dough in the bottom of the dish. Add the beef mixture on top of the tamale dough layer. Cover the beef mixture with the remaining tamale dough. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the tamale pie is golden-brown on top.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy!

Take the tamale pie out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve while it’s still warm. You can also add toppings like shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, or a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy your homemade tamale pie!

Wrap Up

Now that you know how to make a savory and scrumptious tamale pie, it’s time to gather your ingredients and get cooking! Don’t forget to invite your friends and family over to share this hearty meal with you. Remember to thank them for reading and enjoying this article with you. For more inspiring recipes and cooking tips, be sure to visit our website again. Happy cooking!