The TAMALES I crave all year long

mole sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade mole

💰Cheaper: red enchilada sauce

Homemade mole can be lower in sodium and preservatives.

masa harina

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: cornmeal

Cornmeal provides a similar texture but is less expensive.

chicken

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Canned beans are a budget-friendly protein alternative.

cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cream cheese can provide a similar creamy texture at a lower cost.

Boil 6 to 7 lbs of boneless skinless chicken thighs in 3.5 L of water.

Add half of a medium onion, 5 cloves of fresh garlic, 1.5 tsp salt, cracked black pepper, 1.5 tbsp chicken bouillon powder, and bay leaves to the pot.

Bring to a boil and cook until the chicken is tender.

Remove the chicken and strain the broth, reserving 2 L for the masa.

In a large bowl, mix 4 lbs of masa brand instant corn flour with 1 tbsp of salt and 2 lbs of lard.

Add 4 L of liquid (3 L broth and extra water) gradually to the masa mixture until desired consistency is reached.

Let the masa set before using.

Clean and rinse 16 oz of frozen banana leaves, cutting them into 9 x 9 or 9 x 10-inch sheets.

Soften the banana leaves on a hot electric griddle, avoiding cooking them until crunchy.

Prepare the mole sauce using homemade ingredients, including 1/2 cup raisins, 10 Maria cookies, 3 whole cloves, 1 small stick of cinnamon, 1/2 small onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp anise seeds, 1 tablet Mexican chocolate, 1 small bolillo, 1/2 cup pepitas, and 1/2 cup sesame seeds.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: