Corn and Green Chili Tamale Casserole

I was looking for an easy recipe for prepared tamales, and this is the bomb!  I modified it from one I found on Epicurious, from a Bon Apetit Magazine recipe, to accommodate the green chile and cheese tamales from Trader Joe's.  It's decadent but delicious!


Serves 6

6 4-ounce frozen green chile and cheese tamales

1 6-ounce package frozen corn

3 green onions, chopped

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 cup whipping cream

1 7-ounce can salsa verde, or to taste, based on how hot you like it

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese

Serve with Avocado wedges and additional salsa verde (optional)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Place frozen tamales in microwave and cook on high until thawed, about 5-10 minutes. Remove husks. Cut tamales in half lengthwise. Place in single layer in a glass baking dish, innards up. Sprinkle with frozen corn, green onions and 1/2 cup cilantro. Whisk cream, salsa verde, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper in medium bowl to blend. Drizzle over casserole. Sprinkle grated cheese over top.

Bake casserole until heated through and bubbling, about 35 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cilantro. Serve with avocado and more salsa if desired.