This is an adaptation of a family recipe that has evolved over the years. My sister was once married to a man who's family refused to eat veggies, so in desperation she'd open some baked beans, slice up some hot dogs and bake it. My version:
Take 1 big or 2 regular cans of baked beans, open them and dump the contents into a casserole. I use a large, deep cast iron skillet, because there is a LOT to this dinner. Add a layer of hotdogs, OR some smoked or polish sausages, and repeat with the beans. Heat at about *400 till hot and bubbling. Ok, so far not so different from hers. You can even slice the hot dogs/smoked or polish sausage if you want... BUT, at this point, I take 2 boxes of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix, make them (requires 2 eggs and 2/3 C of milk), remove the hot casserole and pour the batter as evenly as possible over the top. Back into the oven, continue at *400 till the cornbread is cooked and the top browned. Easy, inexpensive, filling and GOOD! And the kids are pretty much guaranteed to like it! This is the one I made this evening:
Enjoy!
Ok, I know I haven't posted in a bit, that is because it has mostly been pretty much the same ol' same ol, but tonight I got inspired.
I sauteed 1 diced vidalia onion (though a regular yellow, or even red, would work), with a big spoonful of chopped garlic, till the onion was translucent and beginning to brown. Added 1 lb. of ground beef, and sauteed the whole thing till the beef was browned, then drained it. Added 1 drained can of sweet corn and 1 can of tomato sauce. My intention was to use rotel (the diced tomatoes with green chilis) but I was out. Next time I will use that, but this was still awesome, even without the chilis! I spiced the mixture with some Himalayan salt and some Adobo seasoning (fairly heavy-handed on that one). Then I mixed two boxes of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix, and spooned that over the top. Baked at 400* for about 40 mins, until the top was golden brown (if you use just one box, probably would take less time but I wanted to make sure the center was cooked). Then I turned the oven off and sprinkled on about 3/4 C of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. When that melted, I took it our and took pics. It was/is so good! It had the savory of the beef, cheese, sauce, spices...the sweetness of the corn and cornbread...
Now...variations...one could use any ground meat. One could use any canned tomato. One could use 1 box of Jiffy. One could use 2 lbs of beef. One could use any shredded cheese...or none at all.
Here is the result:
