Step 1
Squeeze sausage from casings. Discard casings. Heat oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add garlic and onion. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until golden. Add sausage mince and beef mince. Cook, breaking up mince with a wooden spoon, for 5 minutes or until browned.
Step 2
Add 1 1/2 cups water, stock cubes, passata, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 45 minutes, adding extra water if liquid reduces too quickly (chilli should be thick but still saucy when ready). Stir in beans. Add more salt, pepper and cayenne pepper, to taste.
Step 3
Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan-forced. Spoon Texas chilli into a greased 2-litre (8-cup-capacity) enamel baking dish.
Step 4
Make cornbread topping. Place polenta, flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. Whisk to combine. Make a well. Whisk butter, creamed corn, milk and eggs together in a separate bowl. Add to polenta mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until just combined (the batter should be fairly loose and pourable). Pour batter over the chilli in dish. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden and the centre of the topping springs back when touched. Stand for 5 minutes.
Step 5
Meanwhile, pile lettuce and cherry tomatoes onto a serving plate. Drizzle with verjuice and oil. Season with salt and pepper. Toss gently. Serve pie with salad.