Tamale Pie

Description
This is adapted from James Beard's great Tamale Pie recipe. It looks splendid cooked and brought to the table in a colorful casserole.
 * Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
 * Source: The Fannie Farmer Cookbook by Marion Cunningham
 * Serves 6

Ingredients

 * 4 cups water
 * 1½ cups yellow cornmeal
 * 2 cups cold water
 * 3 tsp salt
 * ¼ - ½ cup butter or lard
 * ½ lb bulk sausage
 * 2 tbsp chili powder
 * ½ tsp ground cumin
 * 1 clove garlic, minced
 * 1 to 1½ cups finely chopped onions
 * 1 small green pepper, seeded and chopped
 * 1 cup finely chopped celery
 * 1½ lbs ground beef
 * 3 cups canned Italian plum tomatoes, or 4 cups peeled and seeded fresh tomatoes
 * 2 cups fresh, frozen, or canned corn kernels
 * 4 oz canned, mild green chiles, diced
 * 1 tsp minced jalapeño pepper (optional)
 * 1 cup pitted ripe olives
 * 2 cups grated medium or sharp cheddar cheese

Directions

 * 1) Bring the water to a boil in a 3-quart saucepan.
 * 2) Meanwhile, stir the cornmeal into the 2 cups of cold water (this helps prevent lumping) and stir this into the boiling water.
 * 3) Continue to stir while the water returns to a boil.
 * 4) Turn the heat to low, stir in 1½ t of the salt and the butter, cover, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, stirring often.
 * 5) In a large frying pan, mash the sausage and cook over medium heat until it begins to lose color.
 * 6) Add the chili powder and cumin, stir, and cook about 5 minutes.
 * 7) Add the garlic, onions, green pepper, celery and remaining salt.
 * 8) Stir and cook until the vegetables are limp.
 * 9) Crumble the beef into the pan and mash and cook until the raw color disappears.
 * 10) Add the tomatoes, corn, and green chilies (and jalapeño pepper, if used), and let the mixture simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
 * 11) Grease or oil a large baking pan at least 10 x 14 x 2 inches.
 * 12) Spread ⅔ of the cornmeal mixture on the bottom and sides of the pan.
 * 13) Spoon in the filling and distribute the olives evenly over.
 * 14) Spoon the remaining cornmeal over the top and sprinkle with the cheese.
 * 15) Bake in a 350°F oven for about 1 hour.