COLOMBIAN TAMALES TOLIMENSES | How To Make Colombian Tamales | SyS

pork

🥗Healthier: turkey

💰Cheaper: chicken

Turkey is leaner and lower in fat.

corn masa

🥗Healthier: quinoa flour

💰Cheaper: cornmeal

Quinoa flour provides a gluten-free option.

banana leaves

💰Cheaper: parchment paper

Parchment paper is more accessible.

Make the marinade by blending white onion, green onion, garlic, food coloring, salt, pepper, and a little water until smooth.

Place boneless ribs and pork belly in a resealable bag.

Add chicken drumsticks and skinless boneless thighs to another resealable bag.

Pour the marinade over the meat in both bags, massage to coat, and refrigerate overnight.

Clean both sides of frozen banana leaves with a wet towel and heat them over a stove top burner for flexibility.

In a large pan, heat olive oil on medium heat and add chopped green onion and garlic; cook for about 2 minutes.

Add red bell pepper and chopped tomato to the pan; cook for about 5 minutes until soft.

Add optional chicken bouillon, food coloring, ground cumin, and salt and pepper to taste; stir well and add water if too thick.

In a large pot, heat water on medium-low and add optional chicken bouillon, food coloring, onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, and salt; stir.

Just before boiling, add precooked cornmeal and stir to eliminate lumps; add cooked sweet peas and cooked rice.

Optionally, add pork lard to the masa.

To assemble tamales, stack 3 to 4 pieces of banana leaves, pour masa in the center, and add sliced carrots, red potatoes, half a boiled egg, pork belly, boneless rib, chicken, and a tablespoon of seasoning.

Top with more masa, gather corners to form a bowl, and tie with kitchen twine tightly.

Repeat assembly for additional tamales.

In a tamale pot, add water, season with salt, place a steaming rack at the bottom, and add leftover banana leaves to prevent burning.

Once water boils, add tamales upright, cover, and steam for about 2.5 hours, checking water level occasionally.

Let tamales rest for a few minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary