Baked Tamale Pie

1 lb. ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken browned

1/2 med. onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. oregano

1 cup mild salsa or 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce or Rotel tomatoes

1 can black beans or chili beans

1 tbsp. chili powder (or to taste

Brown meat and onions, drain, add tomato sauce, beans, chili powder, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.

Add enough water so mixture is covered. Simmer 15-20 minutes.

Pour into a 2 quart baking dish and top with cornbread batter. (recipe follows)

Bake in 350 degree oven about 40 -45 minutes.

Corn Bread Batter

1/2 c. cornmeal

1/2 c. flour

2 tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. milk

2 tbsp. oil

 1 egg

2 tbsp. jalapeno peppers (optional)

1/3 c. cheddar cheese in 1/2-inch cubes

Combine all ingredients for Corn Bread Batter.

Use in above recipe.

For a variation, rings of jalapeno peppers (or chopped peppers) and cubes of cheddar cheese may be added to the corn bread batter.