TAMALES | How To Make Tamales | EASY Recipe For Tamales | Simply Mamá Cooks

lard

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable shortening

Olive oil provides a healthier fat option while maintaining moisture.

masa harina

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: cornmeal

Whole wheat flour adds fiber, while cornmeal can be more economical.

Slow cook the pork filling using 4 to 5 pounds of pork country style ribs with 1 to 2 bay leaves, 1/2 small onion, 4 mashed cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper, 2.5 teaspoons salt, and 2 cups low sodium chicken broth in a slow cooker set to high for 4 to 6 hours until tender.

Remove the pork from the slow cooker and reserve the broth and fat.

Soak 1 pound of corn husks in cold water, rinsing to remove debris, and let them steep for about an hour until soft and pliable.

Prepare the chili mixture by removing the stems and seeds from 8 guajillo chiles and 2 pasilla chiles, rinsing them, and placing them in a pot of water with 1/2 small onion and 3 to 4 cloves of garlic. Bring to a boil, then shut off the heat and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes until softened.

Blend the softened chiles, onion, and garlic with 1 cup of reserved pork broth until smooth, reserving 1/4 to 1/3 cup for the masa dough.

Combine the cooked pork with the remaining chili puree, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed.

In a mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of instant corn flour, 2.5 teaspoons baking powder, and 2 teaspoons salt. Mix well.

Add 1 cup of shortening or lard to the dry ingredients and mix until crumbly.

Gradually add about 3 cups of reserved pork broth and 1/4 to 1/3 cup of chili puree to the masa mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Whip the masa dough for 5 to 10 minutes until well combined and fluffy, then cover with cling wrap to prevent drying out.

Spread masa on a soaked corn husk, leaving space at the top, and add a portion of the meat filling in the center.

Roll the tamale, folding the bottom up, and tie with strips of corn husk if desired.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: