tamale pie update

Since tamale pie is a staple in my repertoire, I've tried different things with it.  Here's my latest iteration; slightly different than the original and definitely has some high points! Particularly the cheese content and the crusty topping.

Scale the chili powder way back (or none at all)
Only use 1 TB of oil for the onions
No garlic (although it couldn't hurt, am I right?)
2 cans of black beans (or pinto if that's your flavor)
2 (10 oz) cans of RoTel tomatoes (drained, some juice reserved)
2-3 C Mexican cheese blend

Bake the cornbread first and crumble it up. Add 1-1.5 cups of cheese to the cornbread (2+ cups of crumbled).

Cook onions in oil. Add/cook meat. Add beans & RoTel with some reserved juice. Stir in 1-1.5 C up cheese. Sprinkle crumbled cornbread on top. Cook @ 450 for 10-15 min.

If you've never used RoTel, it's a little spicy which is why you don't really need the chili powder. Although a bit of it will add a different kind of spice/flavor. I think RoTel is also available in mild for the wusses. ;)

Yeah I finally figured it out!

Yeah for me that I finally figured this out and Alisa made me an author. Since it is 11:20pm I will not put a recipe now....but be on the edge of your seats! :)