Tamale Pie

Here's an old family favorite, and one that many other families have enjoyed as well.  It really does not play well with cameras.  At all.  It is, however, yummy.  My mom first enjoyed this dish as it was made by her mom.  Then her step mom made it.  And even a neighbor friend made it.   They all lived on the same block in San Francisco. Therefore, I've concluded that all San Francisco housewives in the '50s and '60s were making various versions of Tamale Pie.  

Tamale Pie

(Mom's version of Grandma Barbara's version)

Ingredients:
2 pounds extra lean Hamburger

1 Onion, minced

Salt to taste

1 ½ Tablespoons Chile Powder

2 Cloves of Garlic, minced/crushed

2 - 15 oz. cans plain Tomato Sauce

¾ c. Yellow Cornmeal

1 tall can of whole Black Olives

1 - 15 ounce can of Yellow Corn, drained (or one small box of frozen corn)

8 ounces (or less, to taste) of shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

         

Method:
Sauté Hamburger, Onion, Garlic, salt, and Chile Powder in a medium-sized pot (I used a 2 1/2 quart dutch oven).  Remove the pot from the burner and then stir in the tomato sauce.  Add the cornmeal by sprinkling about 1/3 of it at a time and stirring well, to avoid lumps.  Stir in the olives and corn.  Sprinkle the cheese over the top.  

Bake in the oven at 375º Fahrenheit for 1 hour.