Mississippi Tamale Pie Food

TAMALE PIE

Steps:

• Make the filling: Roast the poblanos directly over the flame of a gas burner or under the broiler, turning with tongs, until charred all over, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with a plate and set aside until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Scrape off the charred skin with a paring knife, then chop, discarding the stems and seeds; set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork, chorizo and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and cook, stirring and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 8 minutes; transfer to a bowl.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in the pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chili powder, chipotle powder, cinnamon and cloves and cook, stirring, until the spices are toasted, 1 minute. Return the meat to the pot and add the tomatoes, corn, Worcestershire sauce and the roasted poblanos. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer 10 minutes; season with kosher salt and stir in the cilantro. Pour the mixture into a 3-quart baking dish.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Make the topping: Whisk the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a bowl. Whisk the melted butter, buttermilk and eggs in another bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until incorporated; stir in the cheese.
• Dollop the cornbread mixture over the filling and smooth into an even layer with the back of a spoon. Bake until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

TAMALE PIE

Steps:

• Brown the onions, green pepper, and garlic. Add the meat and brown. Add the Mexicorn, tomato sauce, wine, chili powder, salt, pepper and simmer for 15 or 20 minutes. Place mixture in a casserole dish. Make the topping with the cornbread mix, 1 cup of cream-style corn, 1/2 cup cheese, and milk to make runny. (Sometimes I add an egg.) Pour over the casserole and bake, in a preheated oven, at 400 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes. 10 minutes before serving, sprinkle top with crushed Fritos and add the remaining cup cheddar cheese. Garnish with sliced black olives.

MISSISSIPPI TAMALE PIE

Steps:

• For the batter: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and place an 8- to 10-inch cast-iron skillet inside.
• Combine the cornmeal, masa and salt in a large mixing bowl. Place the butter in a small saucepot over medium heat. When the butter is melted, remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the milk and eggs. Add all of the liquid to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until the batter just comes together (a few lumps are okay). Set the batter aside to rest.
• For the filling: Melt the butter in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the onions, garlic and peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken and sauce to the pan and bring to a simmer. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cilantro, lime zest and juice and Cheddar.
• Transfer the filling to the preheated cast-iron skillet, then pour the batter over the top. Bake until the top is risen and browned, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool on a rack 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serve with sour cream.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, mix together the coriander, smoked paprika, cumin. 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper.
• Lightly coat the chickens with oil, then sprinkle generously with the salt and spice mixture.
• Combine the tomatoes, garlic and onions in a large roasting pan and place the two chickens on top, breast-side up. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 160 degrees F, about 45 minutes (as the chicken rests, the temperature will rise to 165 degrees F).
• Transfer the chicken to a large carving board to rest, then place the roasting pan on the stovetop and bring the tomato mixture to a boil. Boil for 1 minute and season to taste with salt and pepper. Puree with a hand blender or transfer to a blender to process until smooth. Reserve the sauce and serve the chicken.
• After serving the chicken, pull any remaining meat from the bones and mix with the sauce. Freeze in small containers for up to 3 months.

TAMALE PIE

Steps:

• Make chili: Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 5 to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown beef in 4 batches, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes per batch, transferring with a slotted spoon to a bowl.
• Add remaining tablespoon oil to pot and cook onion and jalapenos over moderately high heat, stirring, until onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate, then add garlic, salt, and chili powder and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Return beef to pot with any juices that have accumulated in bowl and stir in tomatoes, corn, and water. Simmer chili, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until meat is very tender, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove from heat and stir in beans, olives, and salt, to taste. Transfer chili to a shallow 3 quart baking dish.
• Make topping: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Whisk together flour, cornmeal, cheese, sugar, baking powder, salt, cumin, and jalapeno in a large bowl. Whisk together milk, butter, and egg in a small bowl, then stir into flour mixture until just combined.
• Drop batter by large spoonfuls (about 8) over chili, spacing them evenly, and bake in middle of oven 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F and bake pie until topping is cooked through, about 30 minutes more.

OLD-SCHOOL TAMALE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in the hot skillet until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease.
• Stir tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, olives, chili powder, garlic, cumin, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper into the skillet. Bring to a low boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 cup Cheddar cheese and continue to simmer until melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
• Heat milk, butter, sugar, and salt for topping in a large saucepan over medium heat until butter has melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in cornmeal a little at a time, stirring vigorously with each addition, until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup Cheddar cheese. Drizzle in beaten eggs slowly, stirring vigorously until combined. Pour mixture over filling in the prepared dish, smoothing evenly over the surface.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown and filling is bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. Allow pie to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.