FamilyFun contributing editor Ken Haedrich has been making this spicy, Mexican-style chili baked under a thin cornbread crust for 20 years. Baked in a casserole of generous dimensions so the cornbread layer comes out no more than half as thick as the filling. A gratin dish that's about 13 inches long is perfect. In a hurry? Substitute your favorite packet of taco seasoning for the spice mix here.
Ingredients
SPICE MIX
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon flour
FILLING
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups frozen corn, thawed, or 1 can (15-ounce) corn, drained
- 2 cans (14 1/2-ounce) Mexican or chili-style diced tomatoes
CORN BREAD TOPPING
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 1/2 cup flour, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Lightly oil a shallow, 3-quart casserole dish. Combine the spice mix ingredients in a small bowl.
- Brown the ground beef in a large nonstick skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the browned meat to the casserole dish. Drain all but about 3 tablespoons of the fat from the skillet.
- Put the pan back on the heat and sauté the onion and bell pepper for 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and the spice mix, stirring all the while, then stir in the corn and tomatoes. Cover the pan and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally. Stir the vegetables into the meat and level the mixture with the back of the spoon.
- Heat the oven to 400º. Sift the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a medium mixing bowl. Whisk the egg, milk, and oil in a separate bowl. Add the dry mixture to the eggs and whisk until evenly blended. Pour the batter over the filling and spread it evenly with a spoon.
- Bake the Mexicali Pie for 22 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Makes 8 to 10 servings.