Active Time

　　35 min

　　Total Time

　　50 min

　　Think of this dish as a sloppy joe with a corn bread and Cheddar crust — a welcome twist to an American classic.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 (main course) servings

　　1 medium onion, chopped

　　4 tablespoons vegetable oil

　　2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

　　1 pound ground beef chuck

　　1 teaspoon sugar

　　1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

　　1/2 teaspoon cayenne

　　1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

　　1/4 teaspoon black pepper

　　3/4 teaspoon ground ginger

　　1 1/4 teaspoons salt

　　1 (14- to 15-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice

　　2/3 cup yellow cornmeal

　　1/3 cup all-purpose flour

　　1 teaspoon baking powder

　　1/3 cup whole milk

　　1 large egg

　　2 ounces coarsely grated sharp Cheddar (1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons)

　　

Step 1

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a 9 1/2-inch (6-cup capacity) pie plate.

　　

Step 2

Cook onion in 2 tablespoons oil in a deep 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until edges are golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add beef and cook, breaking up large lumps, until no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Add sugar, spices, and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add tomatoes with juice and briskly simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to about 1/4 cup, 8 to 10 minutes.

　　

Step 3

While beef simmers, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together milk, egg, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small bowl, then stir into cornmeal mixture until just combined. Fold in 1/2 cup cheese.

　　

Step 4

Spoon cooked spiced beef into pie plate with a slotted spoon, reserving juices in skillet. Skim off and discard fat from juices if desired, then pour juices over beef in pie plate.

　　

Step 5

Spoon 4 mounds of corn bread batter over beef, then sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons cheese over batter. Bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted into center of corn bread comes out clean, 15 to 25 minutes.

　　

Step 6

Serve cobbler warm.