Tamales aren’t just fun to eat, they’re a great solo or group project for anyone who loves to cook. Make it a party by involving your friends, enlist your partner or spouse for a different kind of date night, or get the whole family involved. Tamale making is a joy, and tamales are a great canvas for different kinds of fillings.
And speaking of fillings: anything savory to sweet, from an authentic chicken in mole, or a new-fangled Nutella option. Try canned refried beans and shredded cheese for a quick and satisfying version. My favorite shortcut is to source a terrific store-bought sauce and just use that as a simple and flavorful filling with some shredded cheese. If you're feeling fancy, add the sauce to shredded rotisserie chicken or canned beans to make your filling.
Some current favorite sauces to play with are Trader Joe’s Salsa Verde, their Corn and Chile Salsa, or try to get your hands on Dona Maria brand mole. For sweet versions, try your favorite jam or a slice of store-bought quince paste.
Made this? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!
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Yields:
24
Prep Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Ingredients
31/2c.
dried masa harina for tamales
1tbsp.
kosher salt
21/4c.
hot water
11/4c.
1 1/4 c. shortening, preferably organic, or 1 1/4 cup lard, or a combination of both
Step 1Make the masa mixture: In a large bowl, add the masa harina. Dissolve the salt in the hot water and add to the masa harina. Mix well until there are no dry patches. Set aside for 20 to 30 minutes. (If you have access to a local Mexican market, you may be able to buy prepared masa, in which case you will need 2 pounds and can skip this step.)
Step 2In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the shortening and/or lard and baking powder on medium speed. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the prepared masa mixture in several additions, breaking off golf-ball sized pieces, and adding them to the mixer while it is running.
Step 3Once all of the masa has been incorporated, reduce the speed to medium low, and add the chicken or vegetable broth in a stream until fully incorporated. (The resulting batter should be like fluffy cake batter, not pourable pancake batter, so add slowly.) You may not need all of the broth. You want a spatula dragged through the batter to leave a divot that does not close back up on itself.
Step 4Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap, and put in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.'
Step 5Return the bowl to the mixer and beat on medium high until it gets extra fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Step 6Form the Tamales: Place a parchment square on the countertop (or put your corn husk with the pointy end towards you), and place about a golf-ball sized portion of dough in the center. (A 2-ounce cookie scoop works well here.) Spread the dough into a rectangle, leaving about 2 inches on the bottom, 1 inch on the sides, and about a half inch on the top.
Step 7Place about a 1 tablespoon strip of your chosen filling down the middle of the masa, leaving a half inch on top and bottom. Pull the 2 sides of the parchment square together, allowing the dough to envelope the filling. Roll the doubled parchment around the tamale. Fold the bottom of the parchment up over the tamale, and pinch to keep it folded. You want the folded bottom to be secure, but not too tight as they will expand when cooked. Leave the top open.
Step 8Fill a medium or large pot with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Set up a steamer basket with the tamales stacked standing upright, with the open ends up. If you do not have enough tamales to completely fill your steamer basket, fill in the extra space with some balled-up aluminum foil. Steam for 1 hour. They should be fully cooked in about 60 to 75 minutes. Remove from parchment or husks and serve.
Tamales can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days. To reheat, steam them for 15 to 20 minutes. They can also be cooked and then frozen. To reheat frozen tamales, microwave them for about 60 to 90 seconds.
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS
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Stacey Ballis is the author of ten novels as well as the digital cookbook Big Delicious Life. Her non-fiction essays have appeared in several anthologies, and her food writing and recipes have been featured in many publications, including Food & Wine, Eating Well, and The Chicago Tribune.
