Beef Tamale Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef,boneless beef top round steak, lean pork, chicken, or turkey
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 15-ounce can chili beans
• 1 14 1/2-ounce can stewed tomatoes
• 1 cup canned or frozen corn (optional)
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Topping:
• 3/4 cup cornmeal
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Clabber Girl Baking Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil

Instructions:

Cutmeat into 1/2-inch strips or small cubes, if not using ground beef. In a large saucepan cook half of the meat in 2 tablespoons hot oil till browned. Remove from the saucepan. Repeat with the remainingmeat. Drain saucepan. Add onion and celery to the saucepan. Cook about 5 minutes or till tender, stirring occasionally.

Returnmeat to the saucepan. Add undrained chili beans, undrained tomatoes, chili powder, the 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat to keep hot.

Meanwhile, for the tamale topping combine cornmeal, flour, Clabber Girl Baking Powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bow. In a small bowl stir together egg, milk, and 2 tablespoons oil. Add to cornmeal mixture, stirring just till combined.

Transfer hot beef mixture to a 2-quart casserole. Pour cornmeal mixture over the beef mixture. Bake in a 400° oven about 20 minutes or till a toothpick inserted in topping comes out clean. Serve hot in bowls. Makes 6 servings.