Description
Discover the ultimate recipe for flavorful tamales, a traditional Mexican dish that can be filled with various ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups masa harina
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 cup shredded cooked chicken (or your choice of filling such as cheese, beans, or pork)
- 1 cup salsa (red or green)
- 24 corn husks, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, beat the vegetable shortening until fluffy. Gradually add the masa harina mixture, alternating with the chicken broth, until a soft dough forms.
- Take a soaked corn husk and spread about 2 tablespoons of the masa dough onto the center, leaving space at the edges.
- Place about 1 tablespoon of your chosen filling (chicken, cheese, or beans) on top of the masa.
- Fold the sides of the corn husk over the masa and filling, then fold the bottom up to secure the tamale.
- Repeat the process until all the masa and filling are used.
- Place the tamales upright in a steamer basket. Cover with a damp cloth and steam over boiling water for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the masa pulls away easily from the husk.
- Allow tamales to cool slightly before serving. Serve with salsa on the side.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños to the filling.
- You can also experiment with different fillings like roasted vegetables or shredded beef for variety.
- If you prefer a sweeter version, try filling with a mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and raisins.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tamale
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg