Tamale Casserole for the Crock Pot

Honestly, this dish from all recipes did not wow me.  It was fine, but nothing I'd serve to guests.  However, for a week day meal that you can have hot and ready when the days activities are done, it'll do.  Plus my picky family actually liked it better than I did.  As always, I'm putting the boring version - the one my family will eat here.  If I were making it just for myself I would include:

• a can or two of chopped green chiles
• sliced olives
• a can of drained balck or pinto beans

Please try those for me, will you?

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1 egg

1 1/2 cups milk

3/4 cup cornmeal

1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn,

drained or 2 cups frozen corn kernels

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes,

undrained

1 (1.25 ounce) package chili seasoning

mix

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

shredded lettuce (optional)

sour cream (optional)

In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. In a bowl, combine the egg, milk and cornmeal until smooth. Add corn, tomatoes, chili seasoning, seasoned salt and beef. Transfer to a greased slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours and 30 minutes*. Sprinkle with cheese; cover and cook 15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.  Top with lettuce and sour cream if desired.

*Note:  the original recipe says to cook on high.  However, my crock pot is big and tends to run hot.  After three hours on low it was starting to brown at the edges.  You know your appliance.  Cook accordingly.

Comments

[Natalie]

I'm going to try this for sure! So far off from what i would normally do in a crock pot. (Side note, i typed crack pot, thankfully i noticed before i hit create)

[Phoebe]

I've been thinking about buying my mom a crock pot so I can occasionally borrow it... uh, I mean, make chili full of love. Is this one of those appliances you can skimp on? College budgets bite. Lol. Will a low-priced one from target give up and just refuse to work halfway through hockey season? How big should I go in size, for a five person family and an occasional boyfriend or two? (BTW, found your blog through Marriage confessions, & I love it!)

[Mindee]

I prefer the Crock Pot brand appliances, but a basic model, 6 qt Crock-Pot runs less than $50 and my first one lasted 10 years.

For five people you'll definitely want the 6 quart model!

[Miriam]

I hope you don't mind, but I plan on veganizing this for my blog. With your suggestions of course. We shall see if it is successful enough to make the blog.