Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with authentic tamales using this simple guide. Gather ingredients like masa harina, broth, lard or shortening, and various spices for the dough and filling. Prepare the masa dough and filling, then assemble by spreading dough on corn husks and adding filling before steaming for 1-1.5 hours. Serve hot with toppings like salsa and guacamole. These mouth-watering tamales will impress guests and add Mexican flavor to your fiesta. Follow these steps for a Cinco de Mayo celebration to remember. Gather friends and family, enjoy the delicious tamales, and have a great time at your fiesta!

Spice Up Your Cinco de Mayo Fiesta with Authentic Tamales

Introduction

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with delicious authentic tamales? Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish that is perfect for any fiesta or gathering. The best part is, they are easier to make than you might think! Follow this step-by-step guide to spice up your Cinco de Mayo fiesta with mouth-watering tamales.

Ingredients

There are a few key ingredients you will need to make authentic tamales:

• 2 cups masa harina
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup lard or vegetable shortening
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Filling of your choice (such as shredded chicken, pork, or cheese)
• Corn husks
• Various spices (such as chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder)

Step 1: Prepare the Masa Dough

In a large bowl, mix together the masa harina, salt, and baking powder. In a separate bowl, beat the lard or vegetable shortening until fluffy. Gradually add the masa mixture to the lard, alternating with the chicken or vegetable broth, until a smooth dough forms.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

Prepare the filling of your choice. This could be shredded chicken, pork, or cheese seasoned with various spices like chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. Make sure the filling is cooked and ready to go before assembling the tamales.

Step 3: Assemble the Tamales

Soak the corn husks in warm water for about 30 minutes to soften them. Take a corn husk and spread a thin layer of masa dough on it, leaving space at the edges. Add a spoonful of the filling in the center of the dough. Fold the sides of the corn husk over the filling, then fold up the bottom. Secure with a strip of corn husk or kitchen twine.

Step 4: Steam the Tamales

Place a steamer basket in a large pot and fill with water just below the basket. Arrange the tamales vertically in the basket, open side up. Cover the tamales with a damp kitchen towel, then cover the pot with a lid. Steam the tamales for about 1-1.5 hours, or until the masa dough is cooked through.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the tamales are cooked, carefully remove them from the steamer basket. Serve hot with your favorite toppings such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. Enjoy these authentic tamales with your friends and family at your Cinco de Mayo fiesta!

Conclusion

There you have it – a step-by-step guide to spicing up your Cinco de Mayo fiesta with delicious authentic tamales. These tamales are sure to impress your guests and add a touch of Mexican flavor to your celebration. So gather your ingredients, follow these steps, and get ready to enjoy a fiesta to remember!