Beef Tamale Pie, Cornbread Casserole and Side Salad

Ingredients

• 8.5 oz Cornbread Mix (Such as Jiffy brand)
• 1 can (15 oz) Whole Kernel Corn (Drained)
• 1 can (15 oz) Cream Style Corn (Undrained)
• 1 cup Sour Cream (Full-fat recommended)
• 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter (Melted)
• 2 pcs Large Eggs (Lightly beaten)
• 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Sharp or medium)
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black Pepper (Freshly ground)
• 2 tbsp Green Onions (Chopped, for garnish (optional))

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position a rack in the center of the oven. Generously grease a 9x9 inch baking dish or a 2-quart casserole dish.

2. 2

   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, melted butter, and lightly beaten eggs until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

3. 3

   Stir in the drained whole kernel corn and the undrained cream-style corn. Mix until everything is evenly distributed.

4. 4

   Add the cornbread mix, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to the bowl. Gently fold the ingredients together until just moistened. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense casserole.

5. 5

   Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and use a spatula to spread it into an even layer.

6. 6

   Bake for 45-55 minutes. The casserole is done when the top is golden brown, the edges are pulling away from the sides, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs but no wet batter.

7. 7

   Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows it to set properly. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving, if desired.

Ingredients

• 1 large head Romaine Lettuce (Washed, dried, and chopped)
• 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (Halved)
• 1 medium Cucumber (Peeled and sliced)
• 1 medium Carrot (Shredded)
• 0.25 small Red Onion (Thinly sliced)
• 1 cup Croutons (Use your favorite store-bought or homemade)
• 0.5 cup Ranch Dressing (Or more, to taste)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Vegetables (10 minutes)

   • Thoroughly wash the romaine lettuce leaves. Dry them completely using a salad spinner or by patting with paper towels. This is crucial for a crisp salad.
   • Chop the dried lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a large salad bowl.
   • Wash and halve the cherry tomatoes, peel and slice the cucumber, shred the carrot, and thinly slice the red onion.
   • Add all prepared vegetables to the bowl with the lettuce.
2. 2

   Combine the Salad Base (2 minutes)

   • Gently toss the chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, carrot, and red onion together in the bowl.
   • Ensure all the vegetables are evenly distributed. At this point, you can cover and refrigerate the salad for up to 4 hours if preparing ahead.
3. 3

   Dress and Serve (3 minutes)

   • Just before you are ready to serve, add the croutons to the salad bowl.
   • Drizzle the ranch dressing over the salad.
   • Toss gently until all ingredients are lightly and evenly coated.
   • Serve immediately to maintain the crispness of the lettuce and the crunch of the croutons.