authentic mexican tamale pie...or just chili, if you like

my husband adores this recipe.  he even likes to eat it the next day mixed with eggs on a tortilla for a breakfast burrito.  also, he prefers the chili from this recipe as just plain chili.  i think it's all gross.  ;>  this comes from food.com and since it's a long recipe all-around, i'm just copying and pasting from the website since i'm feeling lazy right now!

• CHILI FILLING

• 1lb ground beef, lean
• 1⁄2lb lean pork sausage (I use Jimmy Dean)
• 1tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1(15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1(8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2(15 ounce) cans black beans, divided
• 1large fresh poblano pepper, diced
• 1medium diced onion
• 2garlic cloves (pressed)
• 1chipotle chile, in adobo seasoning (diced and seeded, adjust to taste)
• 1tablespoon adobo sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1tablespoon ground cumin powder (adjust to taste)
• 1tablespoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1tablespoon ground ancho chili(adjust to taste)
• 1teaspoon oregano
• 1tablespoon cocoa (I use Hershey's Dark cocoa)
• 12ounces beer, dark (or broth, (Use as needed)
• 1⁄4cup cilantro, chopped (optional)
• 1lime, juce of

• TAMALE DOUGH

• 8 -10dried corn husks (optonal)
• nonstick cooking spray
• 3large poblano chiles, roasted, peeled and diced
• 2cups cornmeal or 2 cups masa harina
• 6tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3tablespoons sugar
• 2teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
• 1⁄2cup canned low sodium chicken broth or 1⁄2 cup vegetable broth
• 4cups baby frozen corn, thawed
• 1 3⁄4cups packed coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
• 1teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄8teaspoon ground black pepper

• Garnish

• sour cream (Cilantro Cream)
• cilantro

• DIRECTIONS

  1. PREPARE CHILI:.
  2. In a large pot brown ground beef, sausage, onion and garlic, breaking meat into small pieces. Drain of excess grease.
  3. Add poblano pepper and cook for about 2 minutes.
  4. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, 1 cup beer and one can of black beans.
  5. Add ground cumin, chili powders, chipoltes, adobe sauce, oregeano, and cocoa.
  6. Bring to a boil, cover and turn down to a simmer and cook for 35 - 45 minutes, adding more beer or broth as needed (keep in mind that the mashed black beans will be added as a thickner).
  7. Drain the remaining can of beans and lightly mash.
  8. To thicken, add the crushed black beans and adjust spices and liquid as needed.
  9. Bring to a simmer again for 5 minutes; squeeze in juice of one lime before serving.
  10. TAMALE DOUGH:.
  11. Place corn husk in large bowl and fill with warm water.
  12. Weight husks down with saucer and soak until soft, about 2 hours.
  13. Char chilies directly over gas flame or under broiler until blackened on all sides.
  14. Place in medium bowls, cover tightly with plastic.
  15. Let stand 10 minutes.
  16. Peel, seed and chop chilies, set aside.
  17. To make dough:.
  18. If using cornmeal, place in food processor and process until fine, 3 or 4 minutes.
  19. In food processor, blend cornmeal/Masa Harina, butter, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt until coarse meal forms.
  20. Add broth and blend in (mixture will be crumbly).
  21. Transfer masa mixture to large bowl.
  22. In food processor blend 2 1/2 cups corn, 1 cup cheese, baking powder, black pepper and 1 1/4 teaspoon salt until coarse puree forms.
  23. Stir puree into masa mixture until blended.
  24. Add the rest of the corn (1 1/2 cups) to masa mixture.
  25. Assemble:.
  26. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  27. In using corn husk; Remove from water, pat dry and line 9 x 11 shallow dish, overlapping to avoid leakage.
  28. Spray corn husk or baking dish (if not using husk).
  29. Spread half of cornmeal mixture on the husk or bottom of the dish.
  30. Spread warm chili on top of the cornmeal.
  31. Sprinkle green chilies on top of the chili.
  32. Evenly spread the remaining cornmeal mixture on top.
  33. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
  34. Loosely cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  35. Remove foil and return to oven and bake additional 25 minuters or until the cornmeal is firm and the chili bubbly.
  36. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes.