Skillet Tamale Pie

Modified from Just in Time! by Rachael Ray

1 tbsp vegetable oil (she used extra-virgin olive oil)

2 cups chicken stock [I used 2 cups water and 2 chicken bouillon cubes, so I had to boil the water first. Also this originally called for 4 cups...making 2 cups of polenta, which I did, but I thought it was too much topping, so I'm cutting it in half for next time.]

1 cup whole milk [or half and half, but I have whole milk for Adam all the time]

2 bacon slices, chopped

1 lb ground beef [she did 3/4 lb ground beef and 3/4 lb ground pork, but I want to use what I have readily available in the freezer at all times.]

1 medium onion, chopped

1 small bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp chili powder [this seems like a lot, it isn't, so use the full amount]

2 tsp ground cumin

salt and black pepper [she also included a pinch of cinnamon, which I didn't use]

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

1 cup quick-cooking polenta

fresh parsley (or cilantro), finely chopped [I used dried here as I'm between herb gardens]

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese [I just covered the top in cheese]

Preheat boiler to high and place oven rack 1 run beneath the highest level of your oven (I went a little lower, as you'll see why - bigger pan).

In large skillet (make sure oven safe or you'll end up doing what I did), heat oil over medium high. Combine chicken broth and milk in pot to bring to a boil over medium heat.

Add bacon to hot oil and cook until crisp, then add in ground meat and raise to high to brown. Once the meat is browned, add the onions, peppers and garlic. Then season with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Cook until vegetables have softened. Stir in tomato sauce and heat through.

While meat cooks, whisk polenta into stock and milk. Stir for 5 minutes or until polenta is thick and masses together (less than this). Fold in parsley. Use a spatula to spread polenta over the meat mixture and then top with cheese. Place the skillet (see why I mentioned that...I didn't have the right pan (I actually don't own one I'd trust), so I transferred to a casserole dish before putting the polenta over the meat mixture) under broiler to brown cheese and set the polenta, only about 1 minute.

See Tamale Pie Dip for modified appetizer version.