Tamale Pie

It’s a family tradition at our house that you get to choose whatever you want for your birthday dinner.  Mr. RK had a birthday a few days ago and he chose Tamale Pie.  He always chooses tamale pie, so that was no surprise.  He’s loved this dish since the first time I made it many years ago.  It really is delicious so I’m not sure why I don’t make it more often.  I make it a cast iron frying pan, less clean up that way.

The filling is made from onions, garlic, kidney beans, soy crumbles, tomatoes, corn and black olives.  You could also add some bell peppers, I don’t because I’m allergic to them, but you could.

I usually make my own cornbread to top it with, but I worked on his birthday so I went the convenient route and bought a cornbread mix that I love. They call it the “World’s Best Cornbread” and I tend to agree with them.  I don’t add any eggs and it still comes out very good.

I topped the cornbread with some cheese.  Mr. RK loves cheddar cheese and after all it’s his birthday dinner.  You can leave the cheese off or replace it with your favorite non dairy variety.  

We both had two servings, this tamale pie is that good.  It will quickly be your family’s favorite as well!

Tamale Pie

Serves 6 - Use organic ingredients whenever possible

1 tablespoon oil (I use sunflower)

1 onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes, drained (or two cups fresh diced tomatoes)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 can kidney beans (1 1/2 cups cooked beans)

1 12 oz package meatless ground soy meat.

1 ear of corn, kernels removed (or 3/4 cup frozen corn)

1 can pitted black olives

1 package of your favorite cornbread mix or use your favorite cornbread recipe. 

3 oz cheddar cheese, shredded  (or your favorite non dairy cheese)

Preheat your oven to 350°

Heat a cast iron frying pan over a medium low flame and add the oil.

Add the sliced onions and minced garlic and saute for five minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the tomatoes and turn the heat up a little.

Add the salt, chili powder and cumin and stir.

Add the beans, soy meat, and corn, and stir.

Stir in the olives, reserving 10 or 12 to decorate the top.

Turn off the heat and make your cornbread.

Spread the cornbread batter over the top of the tamale pie.

Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top (if you’re using it)

Decorate with olives.

Bake for 40 minutes or until the cornbread is cooked through. (Check it with a knife)