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Authentic Mexican Tortillas

Authentic Mexican Tortillas

3.8

Prep
30 min
Cook
25 min
Total
115 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in shortening by hand, or with a pastry cutter until mixture is crumbly. If mixture looks more floury than crumbly, add one or two more tablespoons of shortening. Add about 3/4 cup hot water, or just enough to moisten.
  2. 2 Knead dough by hand or with a large fork, rubbing dough against the sides of the mixing bowl to gather any clinging dough. If dough still sticks to the side of the bowl, add a couple more tablespoons of flour until dough forms a soft round shape. For best results, cover dough with a clean dish towel, and let it rest for about an hour or so.
  3. 3 Divide dough into 12 equal-sized balls. Roll each ball on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-inch thick.
  4. 4 Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
  5. 5 Place a tortilla in the preheated pan and cook until browned and slightly puffy, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Turn tortilla over to brown on second side, about 30 seconds or a minute more; transfer to a plate. Repeat with each piece of dough. Keep cooked tortillas covered with a towel to stay warm and moist until ready to serve.

By Jamie Mikall Martinez

Manteca Fried Carnitas

Manteca Fried Carnitas

4.3

Prep
15 min
Cook
60 min
Total
75 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Heat the lard in a deep roasting pan over medium heat. Stir in the pork, bay leaves, salt, pepper, onions, and garlic. Squeeze the orange into the mixture and drop in the orange halves. Add more lard if needed to cover all of the ingredients.
  2. 2 Cook until the pork is tender enough to pull apart with a fork, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Discard the orange, onion, and garlic; strain the pork cubes from the lard using a slotted spoon.

By chefmikep

Arroz Rojo

Arroz Rojo

3.8

Prep
20 min
Cook
40 min
Total
60 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Heat the lard in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the rice, and stir until rice is toasted. Add the garlic and onion; cook and stir until the onion just begins to brown. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, chili powder and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until rice is tender. Let stand for 5 minutes, covered, before serving.

By MAJORGSP

Frijoles

Frijoles

4.2

Prep
15 min
Cook
125 min
Total
140 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place beans into a large pot with onion, cilantro, jalapeño pepper, garlic, and lard; add enough water to cover by 4 to 5 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, and cook for 2 to 3 hours. Depending on the beans, it may take up to 5 hours. Add more water if necessary.
  2. 2 When beans are soft, season to taste with salt.

By Amy Sterling Casil

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

Mexican Christmas Roast Pork

Mexican Christmas Roast Pork

Prep
30 min
Cook
330 min
Total
730 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Pierce pork with a sharp knife, making several slits all over the top of the leg; place into a large bowl.
  2. 2 Combine 1 cup cider, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender; blend until smooth. Pour over pork. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator, 6 hours to overnight.
  3. 3 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove pork leg from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
  4. 4 Transfer pork leg to a roasting pan, reserving juices that have collected in the bowl. Mix pineapple juice into the bowl; pour over the pork. Insert almonds and prunes into the slits on top and in the center of the pork. Inject some of the remaining cider into the pork using a baster. Pour any remaining cider on top. Rub lard over the top of the pork and cover with pineapple slices. Cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil.
  5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), 5 to 6 hours. Remove foil and bake until browned, about 30 minutes more. Remove from oven, cover with foil, and let sit for 10 minutes before carving.

By Anamaria

Tamales Oaxaqueños (Oaxacan-Style Tamales)

Tamales Oaxaqueños (Oaxacan-Style Tamales)

4.7

Prep
60 min
Cook
105 min
Total
180 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Beat 9 ounces lard in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add salt and continue beating for a few minutes. Add masa harina and beat well until combined. Add chicken broth, 1/4 cup at a time, beating until masa has a smooth and workable consistency similar to cookie dough, about 3/4 cup total. 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, beat the dough a little longer.
  2. 2 Combine tomatillos, ancho chile pepper, mulato chile pepper, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano in a blender; blend until smooth.
  3. 3 Heat remaining 2 ounces lard in a skillet and cook tomatillo sauce until lightly thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add shredded chicken and a little of the remaining chicken broth. Cook over low heat until chicken filling has thickened, about 10 minutes.
  4. 4 Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons masa mixture onto 1 banana leaf, 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 banana leaf together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the banana leaf over the seam of the 2 folded sides and tie together with kitchen string. Repeat with remaining banana leaves.
  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 leaf, 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. Let tamales rest for 15 minutes before serving.

By mega

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

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

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

Pueblo Stew

Pueblo Stew

4.4

Prep
50 min
Cook
55 min
Total
105 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Melt lard in a large pot over high heat. Stir in cubed pork and coriander seeds. Cook until the pork has browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the onions, potatoes, carrots, garlic, tomatillos, green chiles, jalapeno peppers, nopalitos, and hominy. Season with oregano and cumin seed. Add water if the mixture seems too dry.
  2. 2 Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pork is tender, about 45 minutes. To serve, ladle the stew into serving bowls and sprinkle with crumbled cheese and chopped cilantro.

By JOEBOB22

Chicken Mole with Four Chiles

Chicken Mole with Four Chiles

4.6

Prep
40 min
Cook
140 min
Total
180 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Remove the stems, veins and seeds from the chiles (you might want to wear gloves when you do this). Heat the lard in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the chiles, and cook and stir until the chiles are fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn them. Remove the chiles and place them in a large bowl.
  2. 2 Stir in the onion and garlic, and cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove and add to the bowl with the chiles.
  3. 3 Break the flour and corn tortillas into pieces, and add them to the skillet. Toast on both sides, turning often, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove; add to the bowl.
  4. 4 If needed, melt a small amount of additional lard in the skillet. Add the plantain pieces to the skillet, and cook and stir until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove plantain; add to the bowl.
  5. 5 Stir the almonds and peanuts into the skillet, and cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle in the sesame seeds and continue cooking until sesame seeds are lightly browned, 15-30 seconds. Remove; add to the bowl.
  6. 6 Warm the tomatoes over medium heat in the skillet until heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Break the chocolate into chunks and stir into the tomatoes until melted. Pour the chocolate and tomato mixture into the bowl with the chile mixture; stir to combine.
  7. 7 Working in small batches, puree the mixture in a blender until smooth, adding a small amount of water if needed to make a smooth sauce.
  8. 8 Place the chicken into a large Dutch oven; pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover and simmer over medium low heat until the chicken falls off the bone, 2-3 hours.

By Ty

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

Pork Empanadas

Pork Empanadas

4.0

Prep
20 min
Cook
170 min
Total
195 min

Instructions

  1. 1 To make the filling: Place pork in a large pot and cover with water. Add onion, garlic, salt, oregano, cumin, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. While pork is cooking, prepare dough.
  2. 2 To make the dough: Sift together flour, masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Add shortening to dry ingredients and mix well. In a separate bowl, beat together egg and 1/2 cup milk. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients. Add egg mixture and stir with a fork until dough comes together in a ball. Divide dough into 16 even pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Place in a container, cover, and refrigerate.
  3. 3 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  4. 4 After pork has simmered for 1 1/2 hours, remove from liquid. Place pork in a baking dish and bake for 1 hour or until meat shreds easily with a fork. Remove from the oven (keep the oven turned on) and shred into small pieces. Add salsa to shredded pork.
  5. 5 Lightly grease a baking sheet.
  6. 6 On a lightly floured surface, flatten a piece of dough with the palm of your hand. With a rolling pin, roll out the dough to make a 5-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling in the center of the dough circle. Brush edges of dough with milk. Fold dough over filling. Pinch edges together. Crimp with a fork to seal.
  7. 7 Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining empanada dough. Leftover filling can be frozen or used in tacos, tamales, or burritos.
  8. 8 Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 20 minutes. Remove to rack and cool for about 5 minutes. Serve warm.

By Michele O'Sullivan

Tex-Mex Chicken Tamale Pie

Tex-Mex Chicken Tamale Pie

4.0

Prep
40 min
Cook
195 min
Total
240 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. 2 Place chicken breasts in baking pans and cover with aluminum foil.
  3. 3 Bake chicken in the preheated oven until tender and cooked through, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Cool until easily handled. Remove skin and discard. Bone chicken and chop into 1/2-inch pieces.
  4. 4 Combine bones with drippings from baking pans in a large pot; add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 hour. Strain broth and discard bones.
  5. 5 Place tomatoes, onion, tomatillos, garlic, and red chile pods in a blender or food processor; puree until chile pods are reduced to small flecks. Pour into a pot.
  6. 6 Mix 1 cup chicken broth, salt, cumin, and oregano into pureed mixture in the pot. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken. Remove from heat.
  7. 7 Microwave 1 cup chicken broth and lard together in a microwave-safe bowl until lard is just melted, about 2 minutes. Mix in masa harina with your hands to make a smooth paste.
  8. 8 Press paste evenly into the bottom of a 10x13-inch baking pan. Spread chicken mixture on top. Cover with aluminum foil.
  9. 9 Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is heated through, about 40 minutes. Sprinkle shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend on top. Continue baking until cheese is melted and starting to bubble, 3 to 5 minutes. Let stand before serving, about 5 minutes.

By Kathleen Isabell

Asado de Puerco (Mexican Pork Stew)

Asado de Puerco (Mexican Pork Stew)

4.8

Prep
20 min
Cook
60 min
Total
80 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine pork, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Uncover, increase the heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring constantly, until water evaporates, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue to cook until pork has browned in its rendered fat, 15 to 20 more minutes.
  2. 2 Meanwhile, stem dried chile peppers and discard seeds. Place chiles into a large skillet over low heat just until they start to soften; don't toast them. Transfer to a bowl of hot water and soak for 20 minutes.
  3. 3 Transfer pork to a plate, leaving all drippings in the Dutch oven.
  4. 4 Drain chiles and reserve soaking water. Place chiles into a blender with cilantro, bouillon, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick, oregano, thyme, and cumin seeds. Pour in 1 cup reserved soaking water and blend until combined. Pour in 1 more cup soaking water, season with salt, and blend until completely smooth.
  5. 5 Place the Dutch oven over medium heat and add lard to the drippings. Very carefully add blended chile mixture, being careful as it may splatter. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil, then add pork and any accumulated juices.
  6. 6 Reduce the heat and cover partially, leaving about 1 inch uncovered. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened and reaches the desired consistency, 15 to 20 minutes.

By Yoly

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

Cochinita Pibil (Mexican Pulled Pork in Annatto Sauce)

Cochinita Pibil (Mexican Pulled Pork in Annatto Sauce)

4.7

Prep
20 min
Cook
80 min
Total
105 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place orange juice, white onion, ½ cup lemon juice, achiote paste, ¼ cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons salt, garlic, 1 tablespoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano in a blender; blend until marinade is smooth.
  2. 2 Rub pork with salt and black pepper; place in a pressure cooker. Add lard; pour marinade over pork. Add 2 cups water. Close cooker securely and place pressure regulator over vent according to manufacturer's instructions. Heat over high heat until steam escapes in a steady flow and makes a whistling sound, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low or low until regulator is gently rocking. Cook from the start of the whistling sound for 45 minutes. Let pressure release naturally according to manufacturer's instructions, 5 to 10 minutes. Unlock lid and transfer pork to a large platter; reserve cooking juices in pressure cooker.
  3. 3 Prepare habanero sauce while pork is cooking. Combine red onion and habanero chiles in a gravy boat. Add 1 cup warm water, ¼ cup lemon juice, and ¼ cup white vinegar. Season with sea salt, black pepper, and dried oregano; stir until well combined.
  4. 4 Shred pork with 2 forks; return to the pressure cooker. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cook uncovered until cooking juices have reduced, about 30 minutes. Serve with habanero sauce.

By Chef Gaby Cervello

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

Grandma's Yeast Rolls

Grandma's Yeast Rolls

3.8

Prep
20 min
Cook
60 min
Total
150 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Dissolve 1 tablespoon of sugar into the water in a small bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the water; let stand 5 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam. Meanwhile, whisk the flour, the remaining sugar, and salt together in a bowl. Once the yeast has foamed, stir the melted lard into the yeast, then stir the yeast mixture into the flour until a sticky dough forms.
  2. 2 Turn the dough out onto a lightly-floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. You may need to add additional flour to keep the dough from sticking. Once elastic, cover the dough with the mixing bowl, and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with lard.
  3. 3 Cut the dough into three equal sections, then cut each section into 8 pieces. Form into balls and place into the prepared baking dish in 6 rows of 4. Cover with a light cloth and let rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C)) until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.
  4. 4 Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven until the tops of the rolls are golden brown and the bottoms sound hollow when tapped, about 1 hour. Allow to cool at least 10 minutes before eating.

By Dotty Snyder Grohman

Keto Mushroom and Bok Choy Stir-Fry

Keto Mushroom and Bok Choy Stir-Fry

4.0

Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Total
20 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Heat lard and coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until browned and fragrant, 1 to 3 minutes. Add bok choy stems and cook until they are slightly soft on the edges, about 5 minutes. Add bok choy greens and mushrooms. Cook and stir until greens are wilted and mushrooms are soft, about 5 minutes.
  2. 2 Stir in parsley and season with cumin and salt. Lower heat and simmer for 2 more minutes.

By Heather Petersen

Campfire Cast Iron Cornbread

Campfire Cast Iron Cornbread

4.0

Prep
20 min
Cook
40 min
Total
70 min

Instructions

  1. 1 You will need a cast iron chicken frying pan with a lid and a few iron S-hooks to raise the pan up off the ground.
  2. 2 Build a campfire with wood and allow the fire to burn until you have some good embers going. Add a layer of coal. Rake the coals into a flat bed on one side of the fire. Completely grease the inside of the cast iron pan and the lid with lard. Set the pan next to the fire on some coals to preheat for 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. 3 Sift cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Make a hole in the middle of the mixture. Add buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract into the hole. Stir together until a lumpy batter forms, but don't overmix. Allow batter to sit while you check the pan; grease should not be smoking but only be hot and melted. If it is smoking, remove from heat and cool down until it no longer smokes. Pour batter into the hot pan and cover with the lid.
  4. 4 Place a very thin layer of embers on the ground and use the S hooks to raise the bottom of the pan and allow air to circulate. Place about 1/3 of the amount of embers you used underneath on the top of the pan. Bake without removing the lid until cornbread is cooked through and a toothpick comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.

By Elisa Gale

Ultimate Refried Beans with Cheese

Ultimate Refried Beans with Cheese

Prep
20 min
Cook
215 min
Total
955 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Cover beans with 4 inches of water and soak for at least 12 hours, or overnight.
  2. 2 Place the pot with beans and water on the stove and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until much of the water has been absorbed and beans are soft enough to mash, about 2 hours.
  3. 3 Crush the beans thoroughly with a potato masher. Simmer for 1 hour more.
  4. 4 Take an immersion blender to the pot and pulverize the beans until there are no visible solids left. If any water remains, simmer until it evaporates and beans are reduced to a thick paste.
  5. 5 Add milk, lard, garlic powder, salt, chile pepper, cumin, and cayenne and stir to combine. Cook for 10 minutes more.
  6. 6 Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  7. 7 Transfer beans to a casserole dish and sprinkle with Oaxaca cheese. Cover with foil.
  8. 8 Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 20 minutes, removing foil at the 15-minute mark. Serve immediately.

By Brian Genest

Real Hungarian Goulash (No Tomato Paste Here)

Real Hungarian Goulash (No Tomato Paste Here)

4.5

Prep
15 min
Cook
125 min
Total
140 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Melt lard in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir onions in hot lard until soft and translucent, 5 to 8 minutes.
  2. 2 Stir beef and paprika into onions. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add 1 cup water and simmer, adding more water if moisture gets too low, until meat falls apart and onion sauce is thick, about 1 hour more. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

By mentallo

Corn Fritters Canadian Style

Corn Fritters Canadian Style

4.4

Prep
15 min
Cook
15 min
Total
30 min

Instructions

  1. 1 In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper. Make a well in the center, and pour in the egg, milk, whole kernel corn, and cream-style corn. Mix until all ingredients are combined.
  2. 2 Heat the lard in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drop tablespoon-sized dollops of batter onto the hot skillet, and fry for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Serve with butter and salt, and a cold glass of milk.

By SEAN BICKFORD

Tacros (Croissant Tacos)

Tacros (Croissant Tacos)

5.0

Prep
90 min
Cook
20 min
Total
560 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine masa harina and boiling water in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix until crumbly and set aside to soften for a few minutes. Combine bread flour, gluten, sugar, salt, and yeast in a small bowl.
  2. 2 Pour milk into the bowl with the masa; add flour mixture and lard. Mix on low speed with the dough hook until dough is well combined and clears the sides of the bowl, about 2 minutes. Scrape dough down and mix for 5 minutes more to develop the gluten; dough will be very stiff.
  3. 3 Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise at room temperature, about 1 1/2 hours. Place butter in the same mixing bowl and use the paddle attachment on low speed to break it up. Mix just until smooth.
  4. 4 Scrape butter onto a piece of parchment or waxed paper. Form into a 7-inch square. Cover with another piece of parchment and smooth the top with a rolling pin. Re-form the edges of your square if necessary; a little fussing now will save you some trouble later on as you roll out the dough. Place butter square in the refrigerator to chill.
  5. 5 Transfer dough onto a floured work surface. Pat it into a square, transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 to 24 hours.
  6. 6 Remove butter square from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before you plan to roll the dough; it needs to be cool and pliable.
  7. 7 Transfer dough onto a floured work surface. Roll it into a square a little larger than the butter square. Leaving a 7-inch square platform in the center for the butter, roll each of the 4 corners of dough out into elongated flaps that can wrap around the butter like a present.
  8. 8 Place butter square in the center of the dough, fold up the flaps, and pinch together to seal. Roll dough out into a rectangle. Fold in thirds, like a business letter. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  9. 9 Return dough to the work surface; dust with flour if needed. Roll dough out into a longer rectangle; you're going to do a 4-fold, also called the "book fold." Fold the left edge of the dough into the center of the rectangle; fold the right side in to meet it. Then fold it in half again, like a wallet. Return dough to the parchment-lined baking pan, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  10. 10 Place dough on the work surface, roll out into a rectangle again, and make the final turn: another 3-fold, like a business letter. Cover and return to the refrigerator for 30 minutes; the dough can also be frozen at this point.
  11. 11 Slice dough in half and return 1 piece to the refrigerator to stay cool. Roll dough out to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a cutter to create 5-inch circles. Transfer circles to a parchment-lined baking sheet and let rise for 1 hour. Shape dough scraps into "tacro cups" and place in the cups of a muffin tin; let rise. Repeat both steps with remaining dough.
  12. 12 Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Gently fold a dough circle in half to form a taco shell shape; holding it with tongs, lower it into the oil. Hold it closed for about 10 seconds. Fry 2 shells at a time until golden, turning once, about 3 minutes total. Repeat with remaining dough circles, maintaining the oil heat between 350 and 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Drain tacro shells on paper towels.
  13. 13 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  14. 14 Bake tacro cups in the muffin tin until golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Fill cups and shells with your favorite taco fillings.

By FrancesC

Beaten Biscuits

Beaten Biscuits

3.5

Prep
25 min
Cook
15 min
Total
40 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease baking sheets.
  2. 2 Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Use a fork to cut in lard until mixture resembles coarse meal. Using a standing mixer or a wooden spoon, mix dough as you slowly add cream. Mix well to form dough into a ball, adding cold water as needed.
  3. 3 Place dough onto a clean surface and knead slightly. Using a mallet or a one-piece rolling pin, beat dough a few times to form into a rough rectangle. Fold dough over, then beat it out again. Repeat this process until dough becomes white and blisters form on the surface, about 15 minutes.
  4. 4 Roll out dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch rounds and prick the tops a few times with the tines of a fork. Place dough rounds on the prepared baking sheets.
  5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven until biscuits are golden, about 15 minutes.

By Kevin Ryan