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Sweet Pineapple Tamales

Sweet Pineapple Tamales

4.0

Prep
45 min
Cook
65 min
Total
110 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
  2. 2 While corn husks are soaking, combine masa dough, baking soda, and water in a bowl. Knead until dough has a smooth and even consistency, adding more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, as needed. Take care not to add too much water.
  3. 3 Beat butter, vegetable shortening, and sugar together in a second bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Slowly add masa dough and knead until mixture has a uniform consistency. Mix in chopped pineapple.
  4. 4 Spread about 1 tablespoon masa mixture onto a corn husk. Fold the bottom of the husk over the filling, then fold sides of husk together, one over the other. Finally fold the top of the husk into the tamale, making a little package. Repeat with remaining husks.
  5. 5 Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low. Add tamales with the open side up and cook covered until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 1 hour.

By gem

Sweet Almond Tamales with Pastry Cream

Sweet Almond Tamales with Pastry Cream

4.5

Prep
35 min
Cook
85 min
Total
195 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine 2 cups milk and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
  2. 2 Whisk egg yolks and 2 tablespoons masa harina together in a bowl until well combined. Add to milk, stirring constantly, until pastry cream thickens, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to cool for 1 hour.
  3. 3 Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
  4. 4 Place almonds in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Let stand for a few minutes until cool enough to handle. Slip the almonds out of their skins one by one, leaving the remaining almonds in the warm water. Drain almonds in a colander and finely chop.
  5. 5 Beat 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add 1 1/4 cups sugar and continue to beat until mixture is very fluffy. Add 2 cups masa harina and baking powder and continue mixing dough by hand. Add milk, 1/4 cup at a time, until dough has a soft and fluffy texture. Mix in rice flour and if necessary, add more milk. Keep kneading dough until it is smooth and moist. Add almonds and continue kneading until dough is smooth and elastic.
  6. 6 Select 1 wide corn husk or 2 small ones. Spread about 2 tablespoons of dough onto the the corn husk, filling it up to 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Add 1 tablespoon of pastry cream down the center of the dough. Fold sides of husk together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the 2 folded sides. Repeat with remaining husks.
  7. 7 Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up and cook until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let tamales rest for 15 minutes before serving.

By cocinaidentidad

Sweet Tamales with Pineapple and Coconut

Sweet Tamales with Pineapple and Coconut

5.0

Prep
25 min
Cook
55 min
Total
275 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for about 3 hours. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
  2. 2 Combine pineapple, water, and sugar in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until pineapple is very soft, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain.
  3. 3 Mix masa dough with butter and baking powder in a bowl until well combined. Add cooked pineapple, coconut, and raisins; knead into a smooth dough.
  4. 4 Select 1 wide corn husk or 2 small ones. Spread about 1 tablespoons masa mixture onto the corn husk, filling it up to 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Fold sides of husk together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the 2 folded sides. Repeat with remaining husks.
  5. 5 Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up and cook until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 45 minutes. Let tamales stand for 15 minutes before serving.

By EvaR

Sweet Orange Tamales

Sweet Orange Tamales

Prep
30 min
Cook
95 min
Total
170 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
  2. 2 Combine oranges and 1 1/4 cups sugar in a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture starts to turn into jam, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
  3. 3 While jam is cooling, place lard in a large bowl, add 2 or 3 ice cubes, and beat with an electric mixer until soft and creamy. Beat in 1 1/4 cups sugar until well incorporated.
  4. 4 Combine masa dough and baking powder in a separate bowl. Knead together for a few minutes. Add masa to lard mixture. Mix in milk alternately with orange juice, beating continuously with the electric mixer. Mix in cooled jam, raisins, and almonds.
  5. 5 Select 1 wide corn husk or 2 small ones. Spread about 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the corn husk, filling it up to 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Fold sides of husk together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the 2 folded sides. Repeat with remaining husks.
  6. 6 Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up and cook until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 1 hour. Let tamales stand for 15 minutes before serving.

By AnaMaría

Rhubarb-Chipotle Sausage

Rhubarb-Chipotle Sausage

Prep
60 min
Cook
130 min
Total
190 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Bring rhubarb, chipotle peppers with sauce, ruby port, and sugar to a boil in a saucepan; simmer over medium-low heat until rhubarb is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. 2 Blend the rhubarb-chipotle mixture in a blender until smooth. Place ground pork in a large bowl and thoroughly mix 2/3 of the blended sauce into the pork. Season with salt and black pepper.
  3. 3 Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Form about 2 tablespoons of the pork mixture into a small patty and pan-fry the patty until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes per side. Taste the patty and mix remaining rhubarb-chipotle sauce, salt, and black pepper to taste into the uncooked pork mixture (do not taste uncooked pork).
  4. 4 Soak corn husks in warm water in a large bowl until softened, about 10 minutes. Heat a smoker to 250 to 275 degrees F (120 to 135 degrees C) and add wood chips to the smoker.
  5. 5 Scoop up about 1/3 cup to a scant 1/2 cup of seasoned pork mixture and form into a sausage shape; place into a soaked corn husk and tie the ends of the husk with twine to enclose the sausage. If husk is too narrow to cover entire sausage, use 2 husks per sausage. Repeat with remaining husks and pork mixture.
  6. 6 Smoke sausages in the preheated smoker until thoroughly cooked and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the thickest sausage reads 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), about 2 hours.

By gonefishn

Tamales de Frijoles (Bean Tamales)

Tamales de Frijoles (Bean Tamales)

5.0

Prep
60 min
Cook
90 min
Total
345 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Start the tamales: Place corn husks into a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for about 3 hours. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
  2. 2 Make the salsa: Place ancho chiles into a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil over medium heat; cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Drain.
  3. 3 Combine ancho chiles, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper in a blender. Add water and blend until smooth. Strain through a sieve.
  4. 4 Finish the tamales: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 of the salsa and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in refried beans until well combined; cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  5. 5 Beat lard with an electric mixer in a large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add masa flour and beat until well combined. Add remaining salsa and continue beating until dough is uniformly red in color.
  6. 6 Select one wide corn husk. Starting 2 inches from the bottom of the husk, spread about 2 tablespoons masa mixture over the surface, ending about 1/4 inch from the top. Place 1 tablespoon beans and 1 jalapeño slice in the center of masa mixture. Fold the sides of the husk together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the two folded sides. Repeat to make remaining tamales.
  7. 7 Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up; cook until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 1 hour.
  8. 8 Let tamales rest for 15 minutes before serving.

By María Eugenia

Poblano and Cheese Tamales (Tamales de Rajas con Queso)

Poblano and Cheese Tamales (Tamales de Rajas con Queso)

4.9

Prep
60 min
Cook
120 min
Total
205 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place corn husks in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Allow to soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Drain, place husks on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
  2. 2 While husks are soaking, line a heavy cast iron grill pan or griddle with aluminum foil and place it over high heat. Arrange poblano peppers in a single layer over foil. Grill until peppers are blackened, turning as necessary, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag and let them steam, 10 to 15 minutes. Peel off skins and remove seeds. Cut into strips and set aside.
  3. 3 Place tomatillos in a medium pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Cook until tomatillos change color, about 5 minutes. Drain, place in a blender, and blend until smooth. Set sauce aside.
  4. 4 Heat 1 tablespoon lard in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in hot lard until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add blended tomatillos; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until flavors are well combined, about 5 minutes. Add poblano pepper strips and cilantro; cook at a boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool, about 10 minutes.
  5. 5 Beat remaining lard in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Season with salt and continue beating for a few minutes. Beat in masa harina and baking powder until well combined. Mix in broth, 1/4 cup at a time, until dough has a smooth and workable consistency that is not too wet, similar to cookie dough. Test if masa mixture is ready by dropping a small ball of masa into a glass of cold water; if it floats, it's ready; if not, keep working dough a little longer.
  6. 6 Select 1 wide corn husk or 2 small ones. Spread about 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto corn husk, filling it 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Add 1 tablespoon tomatillo sauce and a Monterey Jack cheese slice in the center of masa mixture. Fold the sides of husk together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the 2 folded sides. Repeat with remaining husks.
  7. 7 Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Place tamales, open-side up, into the insert. Cover and steam until filling is heated through and separates from husk, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Let tamales rest for 15 minutes before serving.

By cocinaidentidad

Tamales Rojos de Pollo (Red Chicken Tamales)

Tamales Rojos de Pollo (Red Chicken Tamales)

5.0

Prep
60 min
Cook
80 min
Total
275 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for a few hours. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
  2. 2 Place chicken in a pot, season with salt, and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain chicken and shred with 2 forks.
  3. 3 Heat a griddle over medium heat and toast mulato and ancho chiles until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Place in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak until soft, about 25 minutes. Combine ancho and mulato chiles, garlic, cumin seeds, and about 1/2 cup of the soaking water in a blender; blend until a thick, smooth, mole-like sauce forms, adding more water if necessary.
  4. 4 Heat 1 tablespoon lard in a saucepan over medium heat and add the sauce; cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Add shredded chicken and cook until flavors are combined and chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes.
  5. 5 Place remaining lard in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Add masa harina, chicken broth, baking powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoon salt, and beat until all ingredients are well combined. Test if the masa is ready by dropping a small ball of masa into a glass of cold water; if it floats, it's ready, if not, keep working the dough a little longer.
  6. 6 Select 1 wide corn husk. Spread about 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the the corn husk, filling it up to 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Add 1 tablespoon of the chicken filling in the center of the masa mixture. Fold sides of husk together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the 2 folded sides. Repeat with remaining husks.
  7. 7 Editor's Note:
  8. 8 Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up and cook until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 1 hour. Let tamales rest for 15 minutes before serving. This recipe was originally submitted to Allrecipes.com.mx.

By ladoña

Real Homemade Tamales

Real Homemade Tamales

4.6

Prep
30 min
Cook
180 min
Total
210 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place pork, onion, and garlic in a Dutch oven. Add enough water to cover; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low; simmer pork until cooked through and tender, about 2 hours.
  2. 2 Remove stems and seeds from chiles; transfer to a medium saucepan with 2 cups water. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat to cool.
  3. 3 Transfer chiles and cooking liquid to a blender; blend until smooth. Strain sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl; stir in salt. Discard contents of strainer.
  4. 4 Remove pork from the pot; discard onion and garlic. Shred pork using two forks; mix in 1 cup chile sauce; set filling aside. Reserve remaining chile sauce for serving.
  5. 5 Soak corn husks in a bowl of warm water until softened, about 30 minutes.
  6. 6 Meanwhile, beat 1 tablespoon broth with lard in a large bowl until fluffy.
  7. 7 Combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt in another large bowl; stir into lard mixture, adding more broth as needed to form a soft, spongy dough.
  8. 8 Remove husks from water; pat dry. Spread about 2 tablespoons of dough, about 1/4-inch thick, onto the center of each husk, leaving a 1-inch border on sides and top.
  9. 9 Spoon 1 tablespoon pork filling over dough. Fold sides of husk toward the center, then fold up the bottom to seal. Repeat with remaining husks, dough, and filling.
  10. 10 Arrange tamales upright in a steamer basket over simmering water. Cover with a damp towel or extra husks. Steam until dough is firm and pulls away easily from husks, about 1 hour.
  11. 11 Unwrap the tamales; drizzle with remaining chile sauce. Top with sour cream. Alternatively, stir chile sauce and sour cream together before drizzling for a creamy option.

By SADDIECAT

Green Chicken Tamales

Green Chicken Tamales

3.8

Prep
45 min
Cook
90 min
Total
150 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
  2. 2 Place chicken in a pot, season with salt, and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain chicken and shred with 2 forks.
  3. 3 Place tomatillo and serrano peppers in a pot while chicken is cooking, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook until tomatillos are soft and have changed color, but are not falling apart, 3 to 5 minutes.
  4. 4 Combine tomatillos, serrano peppers, onion, cilantro, and garlic in a blender; blend into a smooth sauce.
  5. 5 Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add tomatillo sauce. Cook until sauce has slightly thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add shredded chicken and season filling with salt.
  6. 6 Beat remaining butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add chicken broth, masa harina, baking powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and beat well until combined and the consistency of cookie dough. Test if the masa is ready by dropping a small ball of masa into a glass of cold water; if it floats, it's ready, if not, keep beating for a little longer.
  7. 7 Select 1 wide corn husk or 2 small ones. Spread about 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the the corn husk, filling it up to 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Add 1 tablespoon of filling down the center of the masa mixture. Fold sides of husk together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the 2 folded sides. Repeat with remaining husks.
  8. 8 Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up and cook until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 1 hour. Let tamales stand for 15 minutes before serving.

By ladoña

Homemade Beef Tamales

Homemade Beef Tamales

3.8

Prep
60 min
Cook
40 min
Total
100 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add beef, green chiles, hot sauce, salt, 3 cloves garlic, onion, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir until beef is thoroughly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and reserve the drippings.
  2. 2 Combine reserved drippings, masa, lard, and baking powder in a large bowl. Mix well. Add up to 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until mixture is as thick as biscuit dough. Divide into 50 equal balls. Place dough balls between 2 cutting boards each lined with a sheet of waxed paper; flatten into circles.
  3. 3 Place each dough circle into a corn husk. Spoon about 3 tablespoons beef mixture in a line across the middle of each husk. Top with a small amount of cheese. Fold opposing sides of the tortilla to overlap the filling. Roll the husk around the tamale and fold in one end.
  4. 4 Combine the remaining 1 clove garlic, 1 cup water, and chili powder in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring chili sauce to a boil. Remove from heat.
  5. 5 Stand a batch of the tamales, folded ends-down, in a steamer basket on top of a double boiler over simmering water. Bring water to a boil; cover and steam for 20 minutes. Remove tamales from heat; remove husks and top tamales with the chili sauce. Repeat with remaining tamales.

By Marvin Howard

Tamales de Puerco (Red Pork Tamales)

Tamales de Puerco (Red Pork Tamales)

4.6

Prep
30 min
Cook
120 min
Total
165 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Cut pork into 3 chunks and place in a large saucepan. Add onion, garlic, bay leaves, and salt and cover with water. Bring to a boil; skim foam from surface. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour. Remove pork and let cool. Strain broth and reserve.
  2. 2 Bring a pot of water to a boil while pork is cooking. Add tomatoes, arbol chiles, and guajillo chiles, and boil until chiles are soft, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, reserving cooking water, and allow to cool.
  3. 3 Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
  4. 4 Combine tomatoes, 1/2 cup cooking water, chiles de arbol, guajillo chiles, and cornstarch in a blender; blend until smooth. Strain tomato sauce through a fine-mesh sieve.
  5. 5 Beat lard with an electric mixer in a large bowl until fluffy. Combine masa, 1 cup reserved pork broth, 1 tablespoon salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl and mix until smooth. Add masa mixture to lard and mix until it has a smooth cookie dough consistency. Test if the masa is ready by dropping a small ball of masa into a glass of cold water; if it floats, it's ready, if not, keep beating for a little longer.
  6. 6 Shred cooled pork with 2 forks.
  7. 7 Select 1 wide corn husk or 2 small ones. Spread about 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the the corn husk, filling it up to 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Add 1 tablespoon of the tomato sauce and pork down the center of the masa mixture. Fold sides of husk together, 1 over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the 2 folded sides. Repeat with remaining husks.
  8. 8 Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up and cook until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 1 hour. Let tamales rest for 15 minutes before serving.

By mega

Beef Tamales

Beef Tamales

4.6

Prep
30 min
Cook
270 min
Total
300 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place beef and garlic in a large pot. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until beef is tender and shreds easily, about 3 1/2 hours. Remove beef from pot, reserving 5 cups cooking liquid and discarding garlic. Allow meat to cool slightly; shred finely with forks.
  2. 2 Meanwhile, place corn husks in a large container and cover with warm water; soak, weighed down with an inverted plate and a heavy can, until soft and pliable, about 3 hours.
  3. 3 Toast ancho chiles in a cast iron skillet; cool, then remove stems and seeds. Crumble and grind in a clean coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle.
  4. 4 Heat oil in a large skillet; stir in flour and allow to brown slightly. Pour in 1 cup beef broth and stir until smooth. Mix in ground chiles, garlic, oregano, cumin seeds, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, vinegar, and salt. Stir shredded beef into skillet and cover. Let simmer for 45 minutes.
  5. 5 Place lard and salt in a large mixing bowl; beat with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy. Add masa harina and beat at low speed until well mixed. Pour in reserved cooking liquid, a little at a time, until mixture is the consistency of soft cookie dough.
  6. 6 Drain water from corn husks. One at a time, flatten out each husk, with the narrow end facing you, and spread approximately 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the top 2/3 of the husk. Spread about 1 tablespoon of meat mixture down the middle of the masa. Roll up the corn husk starting at one of the long sides. Fold the narrow end of the husk onto the rolled tamale and tie with a piece of butchers' twine.
  7. 7 Place tamales in a steamer basket. Steam over boiling water for approximately one hour, until masa is firm and holds its shape, adding more water if needed so the steamer does not boil dry. Serve immediately, allowing each person to unwrap their own tamales.

By jenn

Pork Tamales

Pork Tamales

5.0

Prep
45 min
Cook
310 min
Total
1495 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Soak corn husks in a heavy pot or skillet of water for 24 hours, keeping them submerged.
  2. 2 About four hours before corn husks ready, place guajillo chile peppers in a dry skillet over medium heat; toast until fragrant, 20 to 30 seconds per side. Add some water to the skillet; simmer until tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer chiles to a blender.
  3. 3 Add 1 cup beef broth, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, chipotles in adobo sauce, vinegar, cloves, 1 tablespoon salt, cumin, allspice, and black pepper to the blender; blend until marinade is smooth.
  4. 4 Place pork butt in a slow cooker; pour marinade over top. Cover the slow cooker. Cook on Low until pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork, 4 to 5 hours.
  5. 5 Shred pork; return to the slow cooker and stir into sauce until well combined.
  6. 6 Meanwhile, whisk masa harina, baking powder, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment to combine. Add 2 cups beef broth and lard; whisk until mixture is fluffy and well combined (dough will be sticky).
  7. 7 Place 1 corn husk on a flat work surface; open and pat dry. Spread some dough evenly down center of husk, leaving room around edges; dollop a line of pork filling down center of dough.
  8. 8 Fold one side of husk over filling, then fold other side of husk to overlap, creating a tube. Fold up narrow end of husk to seal bottom, leaving top open. Tie tamale with 1 strip of husk or kitchen twine.
  9. 9 Place a steamer insert into a large saucepan; fill with water to just below bottom of insert. Bring water to a boil.
  10. 10 Place tamales vertically into steamer basket, sealed-sides down. Cover the pan; steam for 1 hour. Serve hot.

By Brian Genest

Instant Pot Tamales

Instant Pot Tamales

5.0

Prep
60 min
Cook
120 min
Total
180 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place 20 dried husks in a large Dutch oven and cover with water. Place a plate or bowl filled with water on top of husks to keep submerged. Let soak for at least 2 hours, flipping occasionally until husks are softened.
  2. 2 Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Combine 2 cups water, onion, garlic, chili powder, salt, chipotle powder, and cumin in a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot). Cut pork shoulder into 4 equal pieces and add to the pot. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 60 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
  3. 3 While the filling is cooking, prepare the sauce: Place 2 cups chicken stock, tomatoes, chiles, and garlic in a saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are fully softened, about 30 minutes.
  4. 4 Transfer sauce mixture into a blender; Cover and hold the lid down with a potholder; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend until completely smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. 5 Transfer blended mixture back into the saucepan; stir in remaining 1 cup chicken stock, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and onion powder. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened and color is a deeper red, about 30 minutes.
  6. 6 When the filling has finished cooking, release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions for 10 minutes, then use the quick-release method to release remaining pressure, 1 to 2 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.
  7. 7 Remove pork to a shallow baking dish; discard any fat and shred using 2 forks. Place shredded meat in a bowl. Stir 1 cup of the prepared red sauce and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt into shredded pork to coat; set filling aside. Set remaining sauce aside for serving.
  8. 8 Strain cooking liquid through a fine mesh strainer and discard solids. Skim as much grease as possible from the liquid. Reserve 1 cup strained cooking liquid for cooking the masa and discard any remaining.
  9. 9 To make the dough: Combine masa, 2 teaspoons salt, and baking powder in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on low speed until completely combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium and gradually add melted, warm lard alternately with 1 cup reserved, warm cooking liquid and 2 cups warm water; beat until dough is completely combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until dough is light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. The dough should resemble a loose cookie dough; adjust by adding 1 tablespoon of warm water at a time, if needed.
  10. 10 Drain water from corn husks. One at a time, flatten out each husk, with the narrow end facing you, and spread approximately 1/4 cup masa mixture onto the top 2/3 of the husk. Spread about 1 tablespoon of meat mixture down the middle of the masa. Roll up the corn husk starting at one of the long sides. Fold the narrow end of the husk onto the rolled tamale and tie with a piece of butcher's twine.
  11. 11 Stand tamales vertically, open-side up, in the steamer basket of the Instant Pot. Place the trivet in the cooker and add 2 cups of water. Place the steamer basket on the trivet, and close and lock the lid. Select high pressure and set timer for 20 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
  12. 12 Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions for 10 minutes, then use the quick-release method to release remaining pressure, 1 to 2 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Allow tamales to rest in the cooker for 10 minutes before serving. Meanwhile, warm the remaining sauce to serve with tamales.

By Pam Lolley

Cuban Tamales

Cuban Tamales

5.0

Prep
90 min
Cook
130 min
Total
400 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook and stir pork in hot oil until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. 2 Pour 1/2 cup white wine into saucepan and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off of the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
  3. 3 Stir 2 cups water, 5 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 beef bouillon cube, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, and black pepper to pork mixture. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, partially cover the saucepan with a lid, and simmer until pork is very tender, 1 to 2 hours. Transfer pork to a bowl and reserve cooking liquid.
  4. 4 Heat remaining olive oil in a deep pot over medium-high heat. Cook and stir chorizo and cooked pork in hot oil until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes.
  5. 5 Stir onion, green pepper, and remaining minced garlic into chorizo mixture; saute until vegetables soften and onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add remaining white wine, olives, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, and remaining bouillon cube; cook, stirring frequently, until flavors combine, about 5 minutes more.
  6. 6 Pulse corn and 1 1/2 cups reserved pork broth together in a blender or food processor until mixture has a thick and chunky consistency. Stir corn mixture into pork-chorizo mixture.
  7. 7 Reduce heat to medium and stir masa harina, sugar, vinegar, and salt into pork mixture; cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture has a hearty cornmeal porridge-consistency. Season with salt and remove from heat.
  8. 8 Make a pocket out of one corn husk and fill 3/4 full with pork mixture, leaving a top flap. Wrap another husk around the filled pocket. Fold top flap over the pocket. Tie twine length- and width-wise around the tamale several times so that packet is secure, but has room for filling to expand during cooking. Repeat with remaining husks and filling.
  9. 9 Fill a pot with 2-inches of water; bring to a simmer. Place tamales upright in simmering water, cover the pot, and cook, adding water as necessary, until filling is hot and set, about 40 minutes. Cool tamales until completely set, at least 3 hours.

By mirelys

Chicken Tamale Casserole

Chicken Tamale Casserole

5.0

Prep
30 min
Cook
75 min
Total
105 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and stir to combine.
  2. 2 Place vegetable shortening in the bowl of a stand mixer and whip on medium-high speed until fluffy.
  3. 3 Mix in 1/3 of the masa harina mixture on medium speed, about 2 minutes. Mix in 1/2 of the chicken broth and mix until combined. Add 1/3 of the masa marina mixture, and mix about 2 minutes. Pour in the remaining broth and mix an additional 2 minutes. Add in the remainder of the masa mixture and mix about 5 minutes. The mixture will be a slightly thick batter. Allow to stand while the filling is prepared.
  4. 4 Preheat the oven's broiler. Place poblano chiles directly on the oven rack under the broiler and broil until the skin is blackened and bubbly. Turn the peppers to blacken the skin on all sides, about 8 minutes total.
  5. 5 Place broiled peppers in a paper bag, close the bag, and allow the peppers to steam inside the bag, about 10 minutes.
  6. 6 When peppers are cool enough to touch, remove the skins. Cut the peppers open and remove the seeds and membranes. Slice into 1/4-inch thick slices.
  7. 7 Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes.
  8. 8 While the onions are cooking, use some more olive oil to grease a 10x10-inch baking dish, and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  9. 9 Add garlic to the skillet and cook about 1 minute. Stir in sliced poblano peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes and juice, green chiles, capers, cumin, and cloves. Cook for 4 minutes. Stir in cooked chicken and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
  10. 10 Pour filling into the prepared dish.
  11. 11 Carefully and evenly spread the masa harina mixture on top of the filling.
  12. 12 Remove excess water from each corn husk and place on top of the masa mixture, overlapping as necessary. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  13. 13 Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
  14. 14 Remove foil and corn husks. Sprinkle on Monterey Jack cheese and return to the oven until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
  15. 15 Top with avocado slices, black olives, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, and green onions to taste. Serve warm.

By Bibi