A Fungus Among Us

On a trip to the health food store awhile back, I picked up a bag of frozen Quorn grounds to use in a casserole for a quickie meal. I had seen this product before and had heard the name but didn't really know what it was other than it's not meat and it's not soy. The back of bag listed a tamale pie recipe but I had another recipe that I've used before and know I like so I went with it. Quorn is made of mycoprotein similiar to what gives mushrooms their "bite". Check out the website: http://www.quorn.us/. In a highly spiced casserole such as this, you can't tell the difference from meat. Nutritionally, it's hard to beat. Low in fat, high in protein, high in fiber, no cholesterol. I don't recall what I paid I paid for a 12 oz. bag which was pre-cooked, therefore no waste, probably $5.00 This recipe will serve at least 6 very hungry individuals. Any meat or Quorn can used.

Tamale Pie

1 lb. ground turkey, lean beef, buffalo or 12 oz. quorn grounds
2 1/2 Tbls. chili powder or more to taste
1 4oz. can green chilies
1 16oz. can pinto beans, undrained
1 2 oz. can sliced black olives, drained
10 -12 oz. jarred salsa, mild or medium, your preference
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tsp. salt
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (can use reduced fat)

Heat heavy oven-proof dutch oven (cast-iron works well) over medium heat. Add meat, cooking till losing red color, or if using quorn till thawed and heated. Stir in 2 Tbs. chili powder, then salsa, chilies, beans, olives and cilantro. Heat all till hot. Bring 3 cups of water, cornmeal, 1/2 Tbls. chili powder and 1tsp. salt to boil in a large pot, whisking frequently, until mixture thickens like grits. (Mixture may splatter, be careful) Pour over meat mixture to cover. Sprinkle with cheese and add additional chopped cilantro for colot. Broil until cheese melts and cornmeal gets crusty.