Authentic Mexican Tamales Recipe
Tamales are a staple of Mexican cuisine. A traditional tamale is made from masa or dough wrapped in a corn husk and steamed together with a filling. It’s believed that tamales originated in Mesoamerica over 5,000 years ago. Today, although there are countless varieties, Mexican tamales are among the most popular.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups masa
- 1 cup of lard or vegetable shortening
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 1/2 cup of salsa
- 1/2 cup of diced onion
- 1/2 cup of diced pepper
- 1/2 cup of black beans
- 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes
- 18-24 dried corn husks
Instructions:
- Soak the dried corn husks in warm water for 30 minutes until they are soft and pliable. Drain the husks and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the masa, lard, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the chicken broth and mix until you have a soft dough.
- Place a few tablespoons of the masa mixture in the center of a corn husk and spread it out to create a flat, round patty. Add one tablespoon or so of the filling (salsa, onion, pepper, beans, and tomatoes) to each patty.
- Fold the sides of the corn husks up and over the tamale, then wrap the ends and fold them up to seal. Secure with cooking twine, if desired.
- Place the tamales in a steamer basket in a large pot with a few inches of water. Cover the pot with a lid and let the tamales steam for 45 minutes over medium heat.
- Once the tamales are cooked through, remove them from the pot. Unwrap and enjoy while they’re still hot!
