This is a casserole I made up the other day. It’s very simple and quite delicious.
It was loosely inspired by my mother’s “Tamale Pie,” which had a bit more of a Mexican flavor and used corn meal rather than polenta.
The “filling:”
1 lb ground beef (I bought very high quality, lean, grass fed beef)
1 onion diced
3 cloves garlic diced
1/2 tsp cumin
salt and pepper
Brown onion and garlic in a frying pan. Toss in ground beef, cumin, salt and pepper to taste.
Polenta:
3/4 cup polenta
1 cup of grated cheese–more or less to taste. I used an herb Monterey Jack but you can use any cheese you like really.
Cook polenta as directed on package. Add the cheese. Salt and pepper to taste
In a 8″ by 8″ square baking dish put the ground beef mixture on the bottom of the pan and then ladle the polenta on top of it. Bake until the polenta is browned.
This turned out to be a delightful comfort food. It made me feel like I was 5 years old eating kid food, but it was delicious and wholesome having used all organic ingredients.
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#1 by Van - July 31st, 2009 at 16:20
Yesterday I was in the mood for some “comfort food”. Long days will do that to you. The mix of Polenta and ground beef sounds really good. Not only a good comfort food, I could see this making great leftovers!
#2 by monicajane - July 31st, 2009 at 16:24
the leftovers were definitely enjoyed!! I try to always make enough food for more than one meal at a time.
#3 by Van - July 31st, 2009 at 21:46
And this is a thing I’ve started to do as well. In the past I couldn’t stand left overs… Now I make enough to have (about) three meals from any one cooking session.
#4 by monicajane - July 31st, 2009 at 21:48
I’m not big into too many meals of the SAME leftover…I like about one extra meal. But when I make soups I make massive amounts and freeze…then in a week or two the soup is like brand new again!
#5 by Wandering Coyote - July 31st, 2009 at 22:47
Nice job! I love nostalgia food!
#6 by Bob - August 1st, 2009 at 05:16
Sounds good, casseroles are the bomb.
#7 by donna - August 1st, 2009 at 05:57
This does indeed have a ring of nostalgia and certainly comfort to it. I love the idea of the cheesy polenta on top. Delicious!
#8 by monicajane - August 1st, 2009 at 09:20
thanks everyone.
Donna, I just cruised around your blog a bit (wasn’t the first time)
I’m struck most by the photography. If you could give me tips on photographing food I’d much appreciate it. I’m going to dive into doing stuff for this blog and my photography is grossly lacking.
I have a couple of posts already done with bad photography that are scheduled in the next few days…but I’m hoping I can turn that around!
also, I’m going to put all of your blogs in my reader so I can get clued into the cooking blogosphere a bit.
been reading wandering coyote for a while, but no one else!