Tamale Pie with cornbread crust

Ingredients 

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 pound ground beef chuck

• 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup)

• 4 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon ground coriander

• 1 cup frozen or fresh corn kernels, thawed if frozen

• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained and crushed 

• 1 cup (235ml) low-sodium broth

• 4 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 cup; 115g)

• 3 scallions, thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves and fine stems, minced

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Brown Butter Cornbread Crust:

• 1 cup (5 ounces) yellow cornmeal

• 1 cup (4.5 oz) all-purpose flour

• 4 tablespoons sugar

• 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use half by volume or the same weight

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 large eggs

• 6 ounces (about 3/4 cup) sour cream

• 4 ounces (about 1/4 cup) cultured buttermilk

• Sour cream, for serving

Preparation:

1. Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 425°F. Heat butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat until melted. Continue to cook, stirring pan gently until butter is nutty-smelling and solids are a toasty brown. Transfer to a heatproof cup or bowl and reserve for crust.

2. Return pan to high heat. Add beef and cook, stirring and breaking up until starting to brown, approx. 8 minutes. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add chile powder, cayenne, cumin, and coriander. Stir well.

3. Add corn, black beans, tomatoes, and stock. Bring to a simmer, then stir in cheese. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened into a rich stew-like consistency, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in scallions and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

4. For the crust: In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, baking powder, and baking soda. In a second bowl, combine eggs, sour cream, and buttermilk and whisk until homogenous. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in reserved browned butter. Whisk wet ingredients into dry ingredients until well mixed and smooth.

5. Using a large spoon, place small dollops of the cornbread batter mixture on top of the beef filling, then use the back of the spoon to spread it into an even layer. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until pale golden brown and a skewer inserted into the cornbread comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

6. Let cool 15 minutes, then serve with sour cream and hot sauce.

Urban Cowgill
December 2023