0 Tasty Tamale Pie

This is another one I've been making practically since I "started to cook", early in our marriage, when we were living in NY. Learned how from my uncle, and adapted it to make it as EASY and HEALTHY as possible -- my goal for all recipes!

Tasty Tamale Pie

Although it's Mexican-type food, it's not actually popular in Mexican American culture -- they prefer wrapping!

This tamale pie was more corn-bready than usual, and still very yummy!

Tasty Tamale Pie

1 lb ground turkey or 2/3 c dried lentils, cooked with taco spices
2-3 cans refried beans (or make them at home the night before - EASY - healthy - awesome!)
~2 c frozen corn (I get a huge bag of organic from Costco)
14-oz can diced tomatoes (Costco sells organic)
~2 c salsa (Kirkland organic salsa is great!)
~1/2 c chia seeds
batch of corn bread (follow basic instructions on corn meal container, 1-2 batches depending on how think you like your corn bread crust)

In rectangular glass pan, spread out meat or lentils, top with refried beans (homemade pours on nicely), sprinkle on corn, salsa, and chia.  Prepare corn bread batter, and pour over everything else.  Bake per corn bread directions for temperature, though it may take more time than directions say, probably around an hour.  Meat is cooked, so you just want everything warm, and the bread topping to be golden.

This tastes great with some avocado slices!  Spice lovers may add more salsa!

COMING SOON: Lentil Tacos!

Detail: Tasty Tamale Pie

0 Lucky Seven Sweet Things about Dried Beans! Plus, Homemade Refried Beans, AND Bean Conversions!

Guess what has taken me FOREVER to finally come to love!?

BEST of DRIED BEANS!

#1 Beans of ANY kind are Super-NUTRIENT-Packed!

#2 CHEAP -- usually less than $2 per pound (I often buy bulk section of from Whole Foods -- spectacular VARIETY!)!

My latest deal is less than $1 per pound (Aldi)!

Assuming $2 per pound dried, you get 4 cans worth of cooked beans for $2!

Handy conversions between
dried, canned, and cooked beans!

#3 Free of SALT (some 14.5 oz cans get close to an entire day's recommended total!)
Here is a post from Andrew of Eating Rules showing how much sodium comes out with rinsing and draining, at best 45%!

#4 Free of the CHEMICALS added to canned beans to preserve them.
AS WELL AS chemicals on the plastic coating inside the can!

#5 Free of added SUGAR, ...and high fructose corn syrup, I found both in a huge (100 oz) can of beans at Gordon Foods!

#6 TASTE! Though I have never been disappointed with the taste of canned beans, and beans are often added to other tasty foods anyway, warm, freshly prepared dried beans taste, wholesome, creamy, and delightful!

#7 EASY -- this is the most surprising bonus of dried beans!  Some time savers: you DON'T have to OPEN cans, or rinse and drain cooked beans.  While you should rinse dried beans, cleaning the strainer afterward is a cinch with dried beans (compared to cooked beans)!

SO how to do it?  I thank 100 Days of Real Food! for their simple recipe!

Here is what I do!

Homemade Refried Beans (Note: there is nothing fried about these beans!)

1 pound (2 c) dried pinto beans, rinsed (substitute almost any bean* you wish in this recipe!)
1-2 onions, halved
2 tsp garlic, minced (optional)
6 c water

Cook everything overnight (or all day) on high in a slow cooker.
Blend to desired smoothness and enjoy!

Homemade Refried Beans

I use my Blendtec, but you could even do this coursely with a fork or potato masher.
Other add-ins for pinto and black beans: cumin, salt, pepper.
For other beans, of course, omit the blending.
*KIDNEY beans need to be boiled for 10 min first, then rinsed, to rid them of a toxin.

This it a great technique for Heavenly Hummus (note above conversions)!
As well as black beans for 2-Minute Friday Night Dinner (Ha! ...slow cooker for 2-minute dinner!)!

PS- lentils are lovely! Soaking or hours of cooking never needed! TRY this: Hearty Lentil Soup!

COMMENTS: what kind of posts are your favorite here at fresh-you?  Thanks for sharing!

Detail: Lucky Seven Sweet Things about Dried Beans! Plus, Homemade Refried Beans, AND Bean Conversions!