First things first is that tamale season is over, sadly. So in order to make myself feel better, I am going to share how my family makes tamales. This is a very important tradition that my family has been doing for most of my life. Recently, I've been allowed to be a part of the process and not just enjoy the fruits of my family's labor. Although the exact history is not entirely clear, many historians believe that tamales were first made by the Aztecs ten thousand years ago. This is a really cool fun fact as this is where my family originates from. I want to share this process with everyone so that you can enjoy some extremely delicious tamales.
Ingredients: If you can't find any of these ingredients at your local grocery store, Amazon is always available.
● Masa
● Corn husk
● Beef
● Sauce
Step 1. Find a pot big enough to fit however many corn husks as you want, then fill it with warm water and close the lid. Keep them submerged until they become soft.
Step 2. You can prepare the meat however you like. Personally I enjoy beef the most. I recommend using a crock-pot and whatever seasonings you like.
Step 3. The addition of sauce is only really necessary for tamales that are made with meat fillings. I recommend using a red salsa that can be either homemade or store bought.
Step 4. This step is possibly the most important step in making a tamale that isn't dry. You want to put these in the large bowl of a stand mixer: masa marina, salt, cumin, baking powder, and whisk to combine. Add the oil, then beat on low speed until combined. Then gradually add the stock, and beat on low speed until combined. Once the stock is incorporated, increase speed to medium, and beat for 10 minutes until fluffy, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed. Cover the mixing bowl with a damp paper towel and refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 5. Assembly
Take the husk by hand and spread the masa across the husk using any object, preferably a spoon. Add filling to the center of the husk(make sure not to overdo it since it could fall out). Fold the husk to keep anything from falling out.
Step 6. Add water to the bottom of a big pot. Then add a steamer basket, fill it with your tamales, and steam until the tamales are hot and cooked through. Make sure to keep your tamales hydrated.
Step 7. Finally you have reached the final step in making your own batch of tamales. You should have flavorful and not dry tamales in front of you if you follow all the directions.
Don't be afraid to freeze them so that you can have a tasty snack whenever you want.
* All photos credited to Youtube channel “Simply Mamá Cooks”
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