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The southwestern tamale casserole you NEED in your life!

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This was passed down to me from my uncles mother. The only changes I have made is to spice it up a bit. It can be served as a main or side dish with
any Southwestern style meal. If too spicy, use less peppers, remove all seeds and membranes, or use milder peppers like more Anaheims, jalapenos or serranos.

The Gourmandize Team

Follow the step-by-step recipe to beefy, fluffy, spicy heaven!

Rate this recipe 4.3/5 (81 Votes)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup raw sugar
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups half and half or milk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • Kosher or sea salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon walnut oil
  • 2 cups chopped yellow onions
  • 1 cup chopped Anaheim chile peppers
  • 1/4 cup chopped habanero peppers
  • 1/4 cup chopped garlic
  • 4 cups tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons chile powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 cup thawed frozen corn
  • 2 teaspoons hot red pepper flakes

Details

Level of difficulty Average
Cost Average budget

Preparation

Step 1

Combine cornmeal through black pepper, mix well, making a medium batter (if too runny, add more cornmeal; if too thick, add more half and half). Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 F.

Step 2

In a deep 12 inch cast iron skillet, heat oil on medium-high, add meat and brown. Add onions, peppers and garlic, cook 2 minutes, remove from heat and drain
off any excess fat from pan. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well, top with cornmeal batter.

Step 3

Bake in oven til top turns golden brown and batter is done (check with toothpick, it should come out clean. If top browns too fast, cover with foil.

​

Alternately, divide ingredients between a medium cast iron skillet (bake and eat now), and an 8 x 8 inch baking pan, bake, cool, wrap airtight and freeze for another time, up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat, covered in a 300 F oven.

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VIDEO: Tasty Beef Tomato Pockets

Looking for an easy snack or party appetizer? These little beef pockets are a pinch!

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • Water

 Filling:

  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup tomato sauce

 Method

  1. Mix flour, sugar, salt, milk, and water in a pan, and mix until you form a dough.
  2. In a saucepan, heat a splash of olive oil and add the onion. Cook on medium-high until onion has softened.  
  3. Add the ground beef, and add the salt, water, and tomato sauce. When the meat has browned, remove from heat. 
  4. Dust a flat surface with flour, and roll out the dough into a flat sheet. 
  5. Use a ramekin or cup to cut out circles. 
  6. Add a dollop of beef-tomato mixture to the center of each circle. 
  7. Pinch the dough into a little pocket.
  8. Bake in the oven at 350° F for 15 minutes.
  9. Enjoy!

Review this recipe

I found this on chow.com is this what the end product should look like?
If so, YUM !!!!!!

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