Mexican Tamales are a traditional cuisine made by wrapping a filling in a corn masa dough and steaming them until cooked through. The dish can be filled with meat, vegetables, cheese, and sweet fillings. In this recipe, for the masa dough, 4 cups of masa harina, baking powder, salt, lard or vegetable shortening, and chicken broth or water is combined and kneaded into a soft, moist dough. For the filling, boneless chicken thighs, onion, garlic, jalapeño peppers, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper are mixed in a skillet. The mixture is wrapped in soaked corn husks and steamed on medium heat for an hour or until the masa is cooked.

The Art of Traditional Mexican Tamales

Introduction

Tamales are a staple food of traditional Mexican cuisine that have been around for centuries. They are made by wrapping a filling in a corn masa dough and steaming them until cooked through. Tamales can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including meat, vegetables, cheese, and even sweet fillings.

Making tamales can seem like an intimidating task, but with a little patience and practice, anyone can create these delicious treats. In this article, we will give you a step-by-step guide and recipe for making traditional Mexican tamales in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

For the masa dough:

• 4 cups of masa harina
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2/3 cup of lard or vegetable shortening
• 4 cups of chicken broth or water

For the filling:

• 2 pounds of boneless chicken thighs, cooked and shredded
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the wrapping:

• 30 dried corn husks, soaked in water for at least an hour

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Masa Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the masa harina, baking powder, and salt.

2. Add the lard or vegetable shortening to the bowl and mix with your hands until well combined.

3. Gradually pour in the chicken broth or water and continue mixing until a soft, moist dough forms.

Step 2: Make the Filling

1. In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped jalapeño peppers until the onions are translucent.

2. Add the shredded chicken, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet and mix well.

3. Cook the mixture for a few minutes until the flavors are well combined.

Step 3: Assemble the Tamales

1. Drain the corn husks and pat them dry with a paper towel.

2. Take a corn husk and spread a spoonful of masa dough in the center of the husk, leaving a border of about 1/2 inch on each side.

3. Spoon a tablespoon or two of the chicken filling onto the center of the masa.

4. Fold the sides of the corn husk over the filling, then fold the bottom of the husk up to cover the filling.

5. Tie a small strip of corn husk around the tamale to secure it.

6. Repeat the process until all of the masa and filling have been used.

Step 4: Steam the Tamales

1. Set up a steamer basket in a large pot filled with a few inches of water.

2. Arrange the tamales in the steamer basket, standing them upright with the open end facing up.

3. Cover the pot with a lid and steam the tamales on medium heat for about an hour or until the tamale masa is firm and cooked through.

4. Remove the tamales from the steamer and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Conclusion

Making traditional Mexican tamales takes some time and effort, but the end result is a delicious and authentic cuisine that can be enjoyed by anyone who loves Mexican cuisine. We hope that this step-by-step guide and recipe will encourage you to try making tamales in your own kitchen and share this beloved dish with your family and friends. Enjoy!