Mexican Tamales Recipe: A Traditional and Flavorful Dish for a Festive Celebration

Mexican Tamales Recipe: A Traditional and Flavorful Dish for a Festive Celebration

Embark on a culinary adventure with this authentic Mexican Tamales recipe, a beloved dish that is perfect for festive celebrations. Tamales are a traditional Mesoamerican dish made of masa (a dough made from corn) that is filled with delicious ingredients, wrapped in corn husks, and steamed to perfection. Follow this flavorful recipe to experience the rich and vibrant flavors of Mexico right in your own kitchen!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups masa harina
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup lard or vegetable shortening
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Filling of your choice (e.g., shredded chicken, pork, cheese, vegetables)
• Dried corn husks, soaked in warm water until pliable
• Salsa verde or salsa roja for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the masa harina, broth, lard or vegetable shortening, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a smooth dough forms.
2. Take a soaked corn husk and spread a thin layer of the masa dough onto the center of the husk.
3. Add a spoonful of your chosen filling in the center of the masa dough.
4. Roll the corn husk to enclose the filling and form a tamale. Fold the ends of the husk to secure the tamale.
5. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients until all tamales are assembled.
6. Place the tamales upright in a steamer pot and steam for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the masa is cooked through.
7. Remove the tamales from the steamer and let them cool slightly before serving.
8. Unwrap the tamales from the corn husks and serve them warm with salsa verde or salsa roja on the side.

Cooking Tips:

• For extra flavor, add a spoonful of salsa to the masa dough before assembling the tamales.
• You can customize the filling with your favorite ingredients such as beans, cheese, or even sweet fillings like pineapple.
• Make a batch of tamales ahead of time and freeze them for future meals.

Duration:

• Preparation time: 30 minutes
• Cooking time: 1.5-2 hours
• Total time: 2-2.5 hours

Serving Size:

This recipe makes about 12 tamales.

Nutritional Information:

Calories per serving: 200 | Fat: 10g | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 8g

Difficulty Level:

Intermediate

Tags:

Mexican, Tamales, Festive, Traditional, Corn Husk, Masa, Steamed

Keywords: Mexican tamales recipe, traditional tamales, authentic Mexican dish, masa harina, festive celebration, corn husks, steamed tamales, salsa verde, cooking tips, nutritional information, intermediate difficulty