Page 69 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2025 Digital Edition

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. For crust, combine the cornmeal, salt, evaporated milk
and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat,
stirring frequently for 5 to 7 minutes or until thickened.
Remove 1/2 cup, cover with plastic wrap.
3. Spread the remaining cornmeal mixture on the bottom and
sides of a greased 8-inch square baking dish. Cool for 2
to 3 minutes if necessary.
4. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from oven.
5. For filling, brown beef, garlic, onion and bell pepper in a
large skillet; drain.
6. Add corn, olives, tomato sauce, chili powder, ground
cloves, salt and pepper. Mix well. Spoon into cornmeal
crust.
7. Drop rounded teaspoons of remaining cornmeal mixture
on top of meat, sprinkle with cheese and return to the oven.
8. Bake for 15 minutes, top with sour cream and green
scallions. Bon Appetit!

A stint in the U.S. Navy brought “Alabama Mike” Benjamin
to Oakland, CA, where he now resides. His early influences
were Z.Z. Hill, Little Johnnie Taylor, Lightning Hopkins and
Junior Wells. He has won various awards, and his latest release,
Stuff I’ve Been Through (Little Village Foundation label), was
nominated by the Blues Foundation for Soul Blues Album of the
Year in 2024. Benjamin, himself, has garnered nominations
for Male Soul Blues Artist of the Year in 2024 and 2025. In
addition, he has played major festivals, both domestically and
internationally, and has released several solo projects, which
are available on most digital platforms. To find out more
about his music and Soul In Your Bowl catering, check out:
Alabamamikeblues.com, Facebook.com/alabama.mike.7 and
Instagram.com/soulinyourbowlcatering

Blues Festival Guide 2025 67