Taco Pie

Taco Pie is an easy appetizer or main dish.  I love it for a late night snack or as an afternoon early meal.  In line with my healthy routine, I switch the ground beef or lean turkey.  You can use your favourite meat. The spices make this dish and instead of the taco seasoning mix, I like to use my mortar and pestle to make my own.  This dish is also great because most of the ingredients are always in my pantry.

I like the flavour of these spices.  It’s the warmth of the cumin and the heat of the red pepper chilli flakes that make this pie stand out.  If you are making this for kids, just cut down a bit on the heat; however, I find that my grandson loves a touch of heat.  That makes him a true southern Italian.

If you like this pie, don’t forget to try :  https://recipesatmytable.com/aranacini-pie/

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. of your favourite ground meat ( I use turkey)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning mix ( recipe in procedure)  Or you can use a seasoning mix packet
• 2 cups each of salsa and frozen corn
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups of your favourite shredded cheese
• corn bread mix ( also in procedureJ)

Procedure

1. Heat the oven to 350 F and begin by browning your meat in 1 tbsp of olive oil.
2. Combine 1tbsp chilli powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp red pepper chilli flakes, and 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper.  This makes enough taco seasoning for two pies.
3. Once combined use 2 tbsp of the seasoning to sprinkle into the browned meat.
4.   Follow with the salsa and corn, just enough to warm everything up.
5. Place the meat mixture into a large pie plate.
6. Sprinkle with the cheese.
7. For the cornbread mixture put 1/2 a cup of flour, 1/2 a cup of cornmeal, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 a tsp of salt into a bowl and whisk.
8. Add 1/3 cup canola oil, 1 egg and 1/3 cup of milk into the dry ingredients and whisk.
9. Place cornbread mixture overtop and carefully spread.
10. Put into the oven for 40 minutes.
11. You can serve this with sour cream or yogurt.
12. Chop a tomato and shred some lettuce for extras.

I use my mortar and pestle to combine the seasoning.

Add the seasoning to the meat.

In goes the Salsa and corn.

Put the meat mixture into a pie plate and layer with cheese.

This pie calls for my own cornbread topping.

Spread it out and don’t worry, it all comes together when it bakes.

Pretty layers!

Nice golden colour on top.

Out of the oven and cooling.

The first piece is for me.