One of the first recipes that made it onto my favorites list when I was a young bride was this recipe for tamale pie that I found in a cookbook I received as a wedding gift in the early ’60’s. Back then the selection of cookbooks was decent, but nothing like what is available now, and most home cooks had the same five or six books on their kitchen shelves. One of the most popular was The Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, published in 1960. It’s all basic stuff and I have found very few recipes in it over that years that haven’t been good, if not first rate. Mexican food wasn’t popular back then, at least in my mother’s kitchen, but I loved the mild spiciness of the ground beef mixture and the cheesy goodness of the cornmeal topper. My husband was a hunter and this recipe was a good way to use the ground venison that filled the freezer every fall. I’m sure it would also be delicious with ground turkey if that’s your preference. If you are a fan of Tex-Mex cooking I’m sure you will like this very flavorful and easy to assemble dish.
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup green pepper, chopped
- ¾ pound ground beef
- 2 8-ounce cans (2 cups) seasoned tomato sauce
- 1 12-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 cup chopped olives
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 to 3 teaspoons chili powder
- dash pepper
- 1-1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- CORN-MEAL TOPPER
- ¾ cup yellow cornmeal
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups cold water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Cook onion and green pepper in a little hot oil until tender. Add meat; brown lightly. Add next 8 ingredients. Simmer 20 to 25 minutes until thick. Add cheese; stir until melted. Pour into a greased 10x8 inch baking dish.
- Corn-Meal Topper: Stir corn meal and salt into cold water. Cook and stir until thick. Add butter, mix well. Spoon over hot meat mixture.
- Bake casserole in a 375 degree oven about 40 minutes until bubbly and the topper has lightly browned.
A Beautiful Fall Day in Portland
On This Day One Year Ago….Beef Barley Soup
On This Day Two Years Ago….Spicy Pumpkin Black Bean Chili
Absolutely gorgeous pic! And the recipe looks great as well…
Oh my, that is such a spectacular pictures.
That’s a whole lot easier than rolling up tamales. Sounds delicious too!
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I know about those days in the early 60s; my first cookbook was a little Betty Crocker pocket book with no pictures, but it got me through the early days.
You sure have a lovely Tamali pie; something I have never tasted; sure tempting. Those trees are perfection; our leaves are all on the ground now.
Rita
First of all…..I love your fall photo!!! I had to laugh, because yes, there were few cookbooks available in the 60’s. I remember receiving one at my bridal shower named “I Hate to Cook” by Peg Bracken. 🙂 And yes, BH&G was the most popular one. Thinking back, I actually think I have made this recipe….back in my early marriage day. It would be fun to try again. Thanks. Susan
Susan recently posted..It is a SO GOOD recipe for Lemon Pound Cake
Wow! I haven’t had tamale pie since elementary school. My mom used to make it . She added black olives to the mix!
Kate recently posted..The Best Apple Cake
I love this dish and your version looks delicious. Your tree shot is awesome.
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Hi Cathy,
Your tamale pie looks so good! My family has been wanting me to make my version of that too. I wanted to let you know I added a couple of cans of clams to my potato cheese soup that I took to my Mom’s for Halloween on Sunday, and it was sooooo good! Thanks for the wonderful suggestion!!!
: ) KRis
I think this is the tamale pie my mom used to make us when we were growing up–sure looks like it! I LOVED that recipe —
Beautiful autumn photo–I love the beautiful colors on the different trees!
Blessings,
Aimee
A classic!
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It’s cold in Minnesota today and your tamale pie looks so warm and comforting! I was also given a copy of the Better Homes and Garden when I first moved to this country and it is my go to cookbook for many of the local dishes. It really is one of the best and I have learn a lot from it.
That’s a gorgeous picture with all those beautiful trees!
Biren @ Roti n Rice recently posted..Nyonya Style Pumpkin and Shrimp Curry
This sounds so good, Cathy! I am going to try it. Love the photo of the trees. xo
Barbara F. recently posted..Pinktober
Must be good if it still remained as a staple:)Looks great to me;)
Hi Cathy!
I grinned when I saw this one. When I was a girl, the cafeteria used to serve this and I LOVED it. I have wanted to make it for my husband who has never heard of it. Printing this one for sure. Your trees are gorgeous. We are having a stunning autumn up here in the Northern Rockies as well and I am trying to resign myself to the inevitable snow that will be starting in the next few weeks. It’s not that I don’t love the snow, it’s just that I love the warm weather better. 😉
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That sure looks like a great dinner Cathy! And what an amazing pic of the colorful trees, just beautiful-Happy November:@)
Sounds absolutely wonderful – my family will LOVE this – thanks for a great recipe!
Mary x
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The first cookbook I ever owned was Better Homes and Gardens and I still have it and still reference it. I’ve seen several of these pies lately and I’m really thinking it sounds good. A must try. As always, great photo.
Lea Ann recently posted..Homemade Hash Brown Potatoes
I haven’t had a tamale pie in ages…this looks so amazingly delicious and comforting. I think I may have to make it for my family this week…I know we’d love it!
Heather @girlichef recently posted..Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual by Michael Pollan & Maira Kalman {book tour}
What gorgeous color!
I’ll eat the top off the pie, I can’t do spicy!
It looks delicious!
Kathleen recently posted..Pink…For the Cure
I will even send this along to both my daughters..
🙂
Those trees rehearsed:)
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I haven’t made something like this since the kids lived at home – meaning it’s been too long. How absolutely stunning are those trees? Looks like someone opened a paintbox and got to work.
ciaochowlinda recently posted..Lidia’s Italy In America
That picture of the trees is amazing. We are just starting to turn colors here in NC, but I don’t think we will get that vibrant – beautiful!
I love old cookbooks and I also love cookbooks that come from church groups…some of my all-time favorite recipes come from them! I have never had this tamale pie, but I will have to put this on the weekly rotation. It looks delicious and I love that cornbread topper. I have the BHG little paperback cookbook and it’s my go-to for many of my recipes – like pancakes and waffles.
Becki’s Whole Life recently posted..Philly Cheesesteak Pizza
The tamale pie brings back memories of growing up in Texas. So many people would make this to take to a covered dish supper. The colors on the trees are just beautiful…it had to be a spectacular day.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..A Smile Costs Nothing
First of all, those trees are gorgeous, Cathy. I do miss the fall.
And on to this tamale pie. Boy, does that ever look good. I love the cornbread topping.
Barbara recently posted..Twice Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
I like your version way better than regular tamales. They have too much cornmeal where yours just has a pretty little topping. It’s also a favorite for Fall and the house smells so good. T H A N K S!!!
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Hi Cathy, just wanted to let you know I’m passing on the Versatile Blogger Award to you, check out my latest post for more information. Have fun!!
Jess Wakasugi {Life’s Simple Measures} recently posted..Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Tarts
It has been some time since I have eaten this. However, this is a great shortcut compared to making tamales! Also, less of the masa-I am so in favor of more meat than masa. That picture does inspire-delicious.
Tina@flourtrader recently posted..Dark Essence Cake
That was the cooking ‘bible’ back then! I still have the copy my older sister gave to me when I went away to college and had to start cooking for myself. I checked, the recipe is in mine :). I’ve never made tamales because they look like they take so much work. This I would try!
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Love the photo of the trees! Portland is beautiful in the fall! The tamale pie is SCREAMING my name. Bookmarked!
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First of all the colors in your photo are gorgeous! I have made a recipe similar to this and it was delicious. I remember back to when I was first married as well and joined a cookbook club! lol In a year I had more cookbooks than I knew what to do with but still have many of them and have used them over and over. Now I tend to look online instead and your blog is one place I stop for sure!
Cathy, my mother also had that cookbook, and I have kept it too. I haven’t had tamale pie in quite awhile, but I’m going to make it soon now. Yours looks like perfect comfort food!
I’m back to blogging and can’t wait to see what great foods you post this season!
This is the perfect meal for my family. They like all the components. Putting them together like this is sure to be a hit.
Casey recently posted..Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
This is an open style tamale. Love the idea a lot & thanks for sharing it.
Hope you’re having a great day.
Cheers, Kristy
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Cathy: What a gorgeous fall photo! I love these old recipes and am happy to have this one. I got the Betty Crocker cookbook as a wedding present. Some years later, I became too “sophisticated” to use it. Boy was I glad to start going through it again a few years ago. The recipes are simple and simply delicious!!
Best,
Bonnie
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Sounds great. And way easier than real tamales. I’ll have to try this!
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That’s one tasty & deliciously looking dish!
I directly want to digg in! Yummie,…:)
Sophie recently posted..Cheesy smoked kale stoemp with fried tofu veggie burgers
My guys would absolutely love this dish! I remember my dad making something similar when I was a kid 🙂 And love the gorgeous shot of those trees…beautiful color 🙂
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