Recipe

Tamale-Crusted Chili Pie

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Dirt Cheap Dinner
Chef
betteirene's Notes: That's not really the name of the recipe: we mundanely call it "Leftover Pie" and we make it every three weeks or so, usually on a Monday night and usually with leftovers from chili made...
That's not really the name of the recipe: we mundanely call it "Leftover Pie" and we make it every three weeks or so, usually on a Monday night and usually with leftovers from chili made on Saturday night. If you want to make it really cheap and easy, don't prepare this filling--use your own leftover chili (red or white) or taco filling made with beef, ground beef, pork or chicken. Or, if you have leftover roast chicken or steak or pork roast, make the filling by chopping the meat roughly, mixing it with enough enchilada sauce or salsa to moisten, then stirring in the beans and corn; fill the crust without heating the filling. If you have leftover refried beans, spread those on the bottom crust before pouring on the filling. To make it not-so-cheap, decorate it with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with sliced olives, diced avocado and chopped cilantro.

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1/4 cup diced onion (any kind or color) Ask a question about this ingredient

1 14-ounce can (about 1 1/2 cups) diced tomatoes or tomato sauce Ask a question about this ingredient

1 15-ounce can (about 1 1/2 cups cooked) red, black or pinto beans, rinsed and drained Ask a question about this ingredient

1 cup shredded medium-aged Cheddar cheese, divided Ask a question about this ingredient

In a medium saucepan, stir together cornmeal and salt; add water slowly, stirring constantly to insure that no lumps form. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick. Stir in butter. Set aside to cool while preparing the filling.
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In a large saucepan or skillet, saute the ground beef with the onions over medium-high heat until the beef is cooked through; spoon off any accumulated fat. Add the remaining ingredients except the corn and cheese. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, or until nearly all the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat and stir in the corn.
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Lightly grease a glass pie plate; spread or pat half of the cooled cornmeal mixture across the bottom and up the sides. Sprinkle with half the cheese. Spoon filling over bottom crust; spoon small dollops of remaining cornmeal mixture over filling--it's okay for the filling to peek through the crust. Bake at 375° (preheating is not necessary) in the middle of the oven for 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and allow to cool about 5 minutes before slicing.
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