Tamale Pie

Preheat oven to 400°.

Prepare 1 pie crust (regular or cornmeal).

Roll out pie crust and form into 9" pie pan. Parbake pie crust 15 minutes at 400°.

In a large skillet or saute pan, saute until translucent:

1 med onion, chopped
2 T fat (butter, bacon fat, oil, etc)

Add and cook until fragrant:

1-2 clove garlic, minced

Add and brown:

1 lb ground beef
1/4c flour

Add and heat until bubbling:

1 T chili powder (or to taste)
1 t ground cumin
1 t ground coriander
1/2 t salt
1 15oz can beans, drained (pinto, kidney, black, etc)
1 small can tomato paste

In a saucepan, heat until steaming:

2 c water or milk
1 T chili powder
1/2 t salt

Whisk in:

1 c grits, masa, or cornmeal

Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbling.

Mix in:

1/2 lb grated cheese (cotija is delicious, otherwise cheddar, jack, etc)

Pour meat mixture into pie crust and spread evenly.  Spread corn mush on top, spreading against pie crust edges.

Bake at 400° 30 minutes or until pie crust and cornmeal are browned.