Tamale Pie
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- Yield Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients
- 5 1/2 cups water
- Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, plus more for dish
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice
- 1 serrano chile, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 pounds ground dark turkey meat
- 1 can (14 ounces) plum tomatoes, undrained, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 8 pimiento-stuffed green olives, rinsed and coarsely chopped
- 4 ounces grated Monterey Jack cheese (1 1/4 cups)
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled, halved, pitted, and diced
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped, or 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- Crisp lettuce leaves
Directions
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Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add 2 teaspoons salt. Whisking constantly, add cornmeal in a slow, steady stream, switching to a wooden spoon when cornmeal becomes too thick to whisk. Reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring often, until thick and creamy, about 15 minutes. Stir in butter, cover, and keep warm over low heat.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 2-quart baking dish. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add onion, garlic, bell pepper, chile, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until onion is light gold and vegetables are tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Add turkey, and cook, breaking up large pieces with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and juices, stock, cumin, oregano, and cayenne. Reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring, until most of the liquid has evaporated and mixture resembles chili, about 10 minutes. Stir in olives, and season with salt and pepper.
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Spread 1 1/2 cups cornmeal into bottom of prepared dish with a wet spatula. Spread turkey mixture on top, then spread remaining 2 1/2 cups cornmeal on top. Sprinkle with Monterey Jack. Bake until golden brown and cheese is melted, 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes. Serve with avocado, tomatoes, cilantro, red onion, and lettuce.
Havn't tried it yet, because I thought it was strange to have the cornmeal on the bottom. Maybe it would work in a convection oven, but I'm scared to end up with mush! I might just top it with the cornmeal mixture...
Had a superior tamale pie at the Smithsonian Museum of Native American HIstory cafetteria.
Martha, Martha, Martha, you usually don't lead me wrong. This recipe took a good portion of my Sunday evening for all the elements and all of the chopping and even after letting it set for over 30 minutes, it came out totally mushy. Think grits and taco meat. Not good!