Chilean Corn Pie

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cups (950ml) fresh corn kernels 4 cups (950ml) fresh corn kernels
• 1 cup (240ml) milk 1 cup (240ml) milk
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup black olives, pitted and sliced (optional) 1/4 cup black olives, pitted and sliced (optional)
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced (optional) 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced (optional)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 10g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
4. 4.
   Season the beef with ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   In a blender or food processor, blend the fresh corn kernels, milk, and basil until smooth.
6. 6.
   In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
7. 7.
   Gradually pour the corn mixture into the saucepan, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
8. 8.
   Remove the saucepan from heat and set aside.
9. 9.
   In a baking dish, spread the cooked ground beef evenly.
10. 10.
    If desired, add a layer of sliced black olives and hard-boiled egg slices on top of the beef.
11. 11.
    Pour the corn mixture over the beef, spreading it evenly.
12. 12.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling.
13. 13.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Corn — If fresh corn is not available, you can use frozen corn kernels. Thaw them before blending.
• Basil — Fresh basil adds a wonderful aroma to the corn mixture. If you don't have fresh basil, you can use dried basil, but reduce the amount to 1 tablespoon.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, you can sauté the ground beef with diced bell peppers or carrots.
• If you prefer a spicier pie, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the ground beef mixture.
• Serve the Chilean Corn Pie with a side of pebre, a traditional Chilean salsa made with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and chili peppers.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Serving advice

Serve the Chilean Corn Pie warm, straight from the oven. It pairs well with a fresh green salad or a side of rice.

Presentation advice

To make the presentation more appealing, garnish the pie with a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil leaves or a few whole black olives on top.