Valencia Tamale Pie

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 cups water, boiling
• 1 cup cornmeal or uncooked polenta
• 1 cup black olives, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter or lard
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 lb ground round or minced beef
• 2 cups tomatoes, cooked (canned is fine)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder (store bought, your own recipe or Chili Powder)

Directions

1. 1

   Add salt to boiling water and stir in corn meal slowly; cook for 30 minutes.

2. 2

   Add olives and set aside to cool.

3. 3

   Melt butter and add onion, pepper and meat; mix thoroughly and cook until meat is brown.

4. 4

   Add tomatoes, chili powder and remaining salt; simmer about 10 minutes.

5. 5

   Butter a large casserole dish and pour in half the cooked cornmeal; add cooked meat and cover with remaining cornmeal.

6. 6

   Bake in a 350F oven for 30 minutes.