Tamale Pie prep time: 10 MINUTES cook time: 40 MINUTES total time: 50 MINUTES servings: 12 two pies For the Filling: 1 sweet onion, peeled and chopped 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped (omit for Karen) 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup frozen corn 15 ounces crushed tomatoes (1 can) 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon salt 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese Beans (black or pinto) if making vegetarian (about one cup or can per pie) If making one meat pie and one vegetarian without spice, cut the following in half and add to meat pie only; for two meat pies, use full amount: 2 pounds ground beef (use beans in vegetarian pie) 4 ounces chopped green chiles (1 can) 2 teaspoons chili powder For the Tamale Top: 2.25 cups corn flour (masa) 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2+ cups broth (1 can plus water) 1/2 cup oil 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. If you don't want to bake the pies in a cast iron skillet, grease two 9-inch pie pans or one 9 X 13 inch baking dish. I use two skillets so that I can make one meat and one vegetarian pie. If making both pies the same, use one pan. Saute the ground beef. Add the chiles and chili powder. In a separate skillet saute the chopped onion and peppers. Add garlic, corn, tomatoes, cornstarch, cumin, and salt. Stir well and turn off the heat. Add half the filling mix to the meat mixture. Add beans to the meatless filling. Topping: Mix the corn flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the broth and oil. Stir in the cheese. If not baking in cast iron skillets, spoon the filling into the greased baking pans. Drop spoonfuls of the corn batter evenly over the top and spread to the edges of the pans. Bake for 30-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the corn batter comes out clean. Notes Masa Corn Flour Notes: Masa mixtures have a way of seizing up, making them unspreadable, if they sit too long. If needed, add 1/2 - 1 cup of additional chicken broth to loosen it before spreading over the top. If making in one large cast iron skillet, the cooking time will be closer to 45 minutes.