How to Make Tamales: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tamales are a popular dish in Latin American culture that have made their way into kitchens all over the world. They are a versatile, customizable, and delicious food that is easy to make once you get the hang of it. In this article, we’ll go through the steps to make tamales that anyone can follow.

First, it’s important to know that there are endless variations of tamale recipes, with different ingredients and flavors depending on the culture and region. For this recipe, we’ll be making traditional Mexican tamales with pork filling. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner – it may seem like a lot of steps, but by following along carefully, you’ll be a tamale pro in no time!

Ingredients Needed

Making tamales isn’t complicated, but you’ll need to set aside some time to do it right. Below are the following ingredients you’ll need to get started:

Corn dough ingredients:

• 2 cups of masa harina corn flour
• 2 cups of hot water
• 1/2 cup of lard or vegetable shortening
• 1 tsp of baking powder
• 1 tsp of salt

Filling ingredients:

• 1 lb. of shredded pork, beef, or chicken
• 1/2 cup of chicken broth
• 1 diced onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 4 oz of canned green chilies

Preparing the Corn Dough

The first step in making tamales is preparing the corn dough or masa. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Soak the Corn Husks

The first step is preparing the corn husks. You want to soak them in warm water to soften them up, making them easier to work with. Fill a large bowl with warm water and drop in a handful of husks. Ensure that the husks are completely submerged in the water, and let them soak for about 30 minutes.

Step 2: Mix Masa Harina with Water

Next, mix the masa harina corn flour and hot water together in a large mixing bowl. Gently mix the dough until it has a smooth texture. Let the dough rest for about 10 minutes to absorb the water.

Step 3: Add Lard or Vegetable Shortening

Add the lard or vegetable shortening to the dough mixture. Use your hands to mix the lard into the dough until it has a smooth texture. Be sure to mix the dough thoroughly as the lard is an essential ingredient to making the tamales soft and tender.

Step 4: Add Baking Powder and Salt

Add baking powder and salt into the dough mixture. Mix well, ensuring that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 5: Check the Masa Dough Consistency

The masa dough should have the consistency of play-doh. To ensure the dough has the right consistency, take a small piece and drop it into a bowl of water. The dough should float to the surface indicating that it has the correct consistency.

Preparing the Filling

The next step is to prepare the filling. Depending on your taste preferences you can use chicken, beef or pork filling. In case you don’t eat meat, feel free to use vegetarian filling. Follow these easy steps to make your filling:

Step 1: Cook the Meat

Place your meat of choice into a medium-sized pot and add enough water to cover it. Add onions, garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Bring the pot to a simmer on medium heat and cook for an hour or until the meat is tender.

Step 2: Shred the Meat

When the meat is cooked, use a fork to shred the meat into small pieces. Discard any bones or unnecessary fat. Pour the chicken broth over the shredded meat to keep it moist.

Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables and Green Chilies

Dice the onions and mince the garlic. Open the can of green chilies and drain the liquid. Set aside the vegetables for later use in the filling.

Assembling the Tamales

Once you have finished with the prep work, you are now ready to start assembling the tamales! Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Spread the Corn Dough onto Corn Husks

Take a soaked corn husk and spread a thin layer of masa dough onto it using a spoon or spatula. Spread the corn dough about 2/3rds of the way up the husk, leaving some space at the top to fold.

Step 2: Add the Filling and Vegetables

Add a spoonful of the filling onto the center of the corn dough. Top the filling with diced onions, green chilies, and minced garlic.

Step 3: Fold and Secure the Husks

Close the sides of the husk up around the filling, tucking them tightly to make a neat package. Secure the tamale at the bottom by folding it up. Wrap kitchen twine around the tamale to enclose it. Repeat the process with the remaining tamale filling and dough.

Step 4: Steam the Tamales

Fill a large steaming pot with water and place a steaming rack inside. Place the tamales on the steaming rack and cover with a lid. Steam the tamales for about 1 1/2 – 2 hours over medium-high heat, or until they are fully cooked and the corn dough has pulled away from the husk.

Conclusion

Tamales are a great traditional Mexican dish that is enjoyed by many. They can be filled with a variety of meats or vegetables, and serve as a perfect comfort food.. With the above instructions, you can now make tamales that are authentic, delicious, and nutritious, right in the comfort of your own home. Enjoy!

10 Steps to Make Tamales from Scratch

Making tamales from scratch is a fun activity that brings families and friends together. However, it requires some time and effort, and therefore needs to be done with patience and care. Here are the ten steps to making tamales from scratch:

Step 1: Soak the Corn Husks

The first step to making tamales is to soak the corn husks for at least an hour until they become soft and pliable. This will ensure that the husks are easy to work with when wrapping the tamale.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

The filling is the heart of the tamale, and it can be made up of anything, from meats and vegetables to cheeses and salsas. To prepare the filling, cook the ingredients together until they are tender and flavorful.

Step 3: Make the Dough

The dough, or masa, is a crucial element of the tamale. In a large mixing bowl, combine the masa flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the warm chicken broth or water while stirring the mixture until it becomes a smooth dough.

Step 4: Add Flavor to the Dough

To add flavor to the masa, mix in some chili powder, cumin, or garlic powder. You can also add some tomato sauce or green chili salsa to give the dough a unique taste.

Step 5: Spread the Dough on the Husks

Once you have prepared the dough, take a corn husk and spread a thin layer of masa on the wide end of the husk. Leave the narrower end of the husk uncovered so you can fold it later.

Step 6: Add the Filling

Place about a tablespoon of filling on top of the masa. You can adjust the amount of filling based on your preference, but be careful not to overfill the tamale.

Step 7: Roll and Wrap

Fold the sides of the corn husk over the filling and roll the husk to form a tight cylinder. Tuck the narrow end of the husk under the tamale to seal it.

Step 8: Steam the Tamales

Place the tamales in a steamer basket and steam them for about an hour, or until the masa is cooked through and the filling is hot. You can add some herbs and spices to the steaming water to infuse some extra flavor.

Step 9: Serve Warm

Once the tamales are cooked, allow them to cool for a few minutes before unwrapping them. Serve the tamales warm with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.

Step 10: Store and Reheat

If you have any leftover tamales, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, steam the tamales for about 15 minutes or until hot and steaming. You can also microwave them for a quick snack.

Step 3: Preparing the Masa

Making the masa, or dough, for the tamales is one of the most important steps in the tamale-making process. The masa forms the foundation of the tamale and is responsible for giving it its unique flavor and texture. Below are the steps to prepare the masa:

Gather the Ingredients

The ingredients you’ll need to prepare the masa include:

• 2 cups of masa harina
• 1 1/2 cups of warm water or broth
• 1/2 cup of vegetable shortening or lard
• 1 tsp of baking powder
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1/2 tsp of cumin (optional)

Mix the Masa

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the masa harina, baking powder, salt, and cumin (if using). Mix well.
2. Add the vegetable shortening or lard to the mix.
3. Gradually add the warm water or broth to the mixture, using your hands to knead the masa until it has a smooth and pliable texture.
4. Continue to add water or broth, one tablespoon at a time, until the masa has reached the desired consistency. The masa should be moist and spreadable, but not too wet or runny.

Test the Masa

Before beginning to spread the masa on the corn husks, it’s important to test the consistency of the masa to ensure that it’s ready to use. To do this:

1. Take a small ball of masa and roll it into a ball.
2. Drop the ball into a glass of cold water. If it floats, the masa is ready for use.

Spread the Masa on the Corn Husks

Once the masa is prepared and tested, it’s time to spread it on the corn husks.

1. Take one soaked corn husk and shake off any excess water.
2. Lay the husk flat on a work surface, with the wider end facing you.
3. Spread a thin layer of masa on the center of the husk, leaving a 1-inch border at the bottom and sides and a 2-inch border at the top.
4. Add the desired filling to the center of the masa.
5. Roll the husk tightly from the bottom up, tucking the sides in as you go.
6. Fold the top of the husk down.

Repeat the Process

Repeat the process of spreading masa and filling on each corn husk until you’ve used all of your ingredients. Once you’ve filled all of your tamales, it’s time to steam them until they’re fully cooked.

In conclusion, preparing the masa is an essential step in making delicious tamales. Follow these simple steps to prepare the masa and test its consistency before spreading it on the corn husks. Once your tamales are filled and rolled, steam them until they’re fully cooked. Your delicious tamales are now ready to serve and enjoy!

That’s a Wrap!

Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end of our step-by-step guide on how to make tamales. We hope that our instructions and tips have helped you in creating your very own delicious tamales. Don’t forget to share your wonderful creations with your loved ones and impress them with your newfound tamale-making skills. Thanks for reading and we hope to see you back here soon for more exciting recipes! Happy cooking!