Mayan Delight Pie
Indulge in the rich flavors of our Mayan Delight Pie, a layered dish packed with a savory ground beef mixture, vibrant vegetables, and crispy tortilla chips. This hearty pie, reminiscent of ancient Aztec cuisine, combines spices like cumin, chili powder, and just a hint of cinnamon to create an unforgettable taste sensation. Perfect for family gatherings or special occasions, this comforting meal is topped with melty cheese and garnished with olives and fresh avocado, making it a true delight for the senses. Share this delicious recipe with friends and bring a taste of the Mayan culture to your dining table.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Onions
2 cups (chopped)
Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (none)
Garlic
2 cloves (finely chopped)
Lean ground beef
1 lb (none)
Chili powder
2 tablespoons (none)
Sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
Ground cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
Oregano
1 teaspoon (none)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon (none)
Canned tomatoes
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can (undrained)
Diced mild green chilies
1 (4 ounce) can (none)
Tortilla chips
1 (8 ounce) package (none)
Green olives
1 cup (thinly sliced)
Black olives
1 (6 ounce) can (pitted and drained)
Mild cheddar cheese
1 cup (shredded)
Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup (shredded)
Instructions
1
In a skillet over medium heat, heat the vegetable oil and sauté the chopped onions until they become soft, about 5 minutes.
2
Add the finely chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
3
Transfer the onion and garlic mixture to a small bowl and set aside.
4
In the same skillet, cook the lean ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is no longer pink, which should take about 8 minutes.
5
Add the sautéed onion and garlic back into the skillet with the beef.
6
Stir in the chili powder, sugar, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and cinnamon, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more to allow the flavors to meld together.
7
Incorporate the undrained canned tomatoes and diced green chilies, gently breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
9
In a large casserole dish, create your first layer by evenly spreading half of the tortilla chips across the bottom.
10
Spoon half of the beef mixture over the chips, followed by a sprinkle of sliced green olives, and half of both cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
11
Press down gently on the layers using a spatula to compact slightly.
12
Repeat the layering process with the remaining tortilla chips and beef mixture, pressing down once more.
13
Top the final layer with the remaining cheese.
14
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
15
Once baked, let the pie stand for 10 minutes before serving.
16
For a garnish, decorate with reserved olives and additional sliced green olives, avocado, and lime, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mayan Delight Pie?
Mayan Delight Pie is a layered dish featuring a savory ground beef mixture, vegetables, and crispy tortilla chips, flavored with spices like cumin, chili powder, and cinnamon.
What is the main protein used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1 lb of lean ground beef.
How many servings does this pie make?
This recipe provides approximately 6 servings.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How long does the Mayan Delight Pie need to bake?
It should be baked for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
What spices are included in the beef mixture?
The beef is seasoned with chili powder, sugar, ground cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and a hint of cinnamon.
What kind of cheese is recommended for the topping?
The recipe uses a combination of shredded mild cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese.
Should the canned tomatoes be drained?
No, the recipe specifies using one 15 1/4 ounce can of undrained canned tomatoes.
How are the layers of the pie assembled?
The pie is assembled by layering tortilla chips, beef mixture, sliced olives, and cheese, then repeating the process and finishing with a final layer of cheese.
How much chopped onion is needed?
The recipe requires 2 cups of chopped onions.
What type of oil is used for sautéing the vegetables?
One tablespoon of vegetable oil is used to sauté the onions and garlic.
How long should the onions be cooked?
The onions should be sautéed for about 5 minutes until they become soft.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe calls for 2 cloves of finely chopped garlic.
Is there sugar in the Mayan Delight Pie?
Yes, one tablespoon of sugar is added to the spice mixture.
What type of chilies are used?
The recipe uses one 4 ounce can of diced mild green chilies.
What kind of olives are included in the layers?
One cup of thinly sliced green olives is used within the layers.
Are black olives used in this recipe?
Yes, a 6 ounce can of pitted and drained black olives can be used for garnish.
How long does it take to cook the ground beef?
The ground beef takes about 8 minutes to cook until it is no longer pink.
How long should the beef mixture simmer?
After adding tomatoes and chilies, the mixture should simmer for about 10 minutes.
What size package of tortilla chips is needed?
One 8 ounce package of tortilla chips is required.
Do I need to let the pie rest after taking it out of the oven?
Yes, let the pie stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Can I add garnishes to the dish?
Yes, you can decorate the pie with reserved olives, avocado, and lime if desired.
How much cumin is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.
Is there any oregano in this dish?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 teaspoon of oregano.
How much chili powder is used?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of chili powder.
What is the amount of cinnamon used?
A small amount, specifically 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon, is used.
Should the tomatoes be broken up?
Yes, you should gently break up the tomatoes with a spoon while they are in the skillet.
What should I use to compact the layers?
The instructions suggest using a spatula to press down gently on the layers to compact them slightly.
What is the total amount of cheese used?
The recipe uses 1 cup of mild cheddar and 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese, totaling 2 cups.
What type of dish should be used for assembly?
A large casserole dish is recommended for assembling and baking the pie.