Red and White TAMALES Gisu | Chamorro Food | Guam Recipes

masa harina

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: cornmeal

Whole wheat flour adds fiber while cornmeal is more affordable.

pork

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: turkey

Chicken is leaner and turkey is often less expensive.

red chili sauce

🥗Healthier: tomato sauce with spices

💰Cheaper: salsa

Tomato sauce can reduce calories and salsa is often cheaper.

fresh cilantro

🥗Healthier: parsley

💰Cheaper: dried herbs

Parsley provides a similar flavor profile and is more accessible.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Spread the ground masa in a thin layer on a foil-lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Stir the mixture around the sheet and spread again. Bake for 10 to 12 more minutes until lightly browned and toasted.

In a large pot, heat the lard just under medium heat and add chopped bacon. Sautee until cooked but not crisp.

Move everything to one side of the pot and brown the chicken thighs on one side for three minutes. Flip to brown the other side for three minutes.

Add onions and garlic, and sautee until softened.

Add 4 cups of hot chicken stock and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Remove chicken from the pot, cut into thirds, and shred with two forks. Return chicken to the pot.

Add remaining hot stock and all dry ingredients, stirring to combine until slightly thickened.

Add coconut milk and mix thoroughly. Incorporate achote powder mixed with melted lard.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Cook until mixture resembles thickened oatmeal, then add cornstarch slurry and cook for 2 more minutes.

Remove from heat and pour into a half-sheet roasting pan. Cool at room temperature then refrigerate overnight.

The next day, whip half of the mixture in an electric stand mixer using the paddle attachment for 5 minutes, then whip for another 5 minutes.

Repeat with the remaining half until fluffy and light.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary