16 Recipe For Mexican Hot Tamales Savor The Mouthwatering Goodness!

Ingredients You Will Need

Masa Dough

To make the perfect masa dough for tamales, you will need masa harina, lard, chicken broth, and baking powder. Masa harina is a special corn flour that is used to make the dough. You can find it in most Latin American grocery stores or online. Lard is the traditional fat used in tamales and adds a rich flavor to the dough. If you can't find lard, you can use vegetable shortening as a substitute. Make sure to use chicken broth instead of water to add more depth of flavor to the dough. Lastly, baking powder is added to make the dough light and fluffy.

Filling

The filling for tamales can vary depending on personal preference. However, a typical filling includes pork, chicken, or beef, dried chili peppers, onions, and garlic. The meat is usually cooked and shredded before being mixed with the other ingredients. Dried chili peppers are rehydrated and blended to make a rich and spicy sauce for the filling. Onions and garlic add a depth of flavor to the filling.

Corn Husks

Corn husks are used to wrap the tamales and give them their distinctive shape. You will need to soak the corn husks in hot water for about an hour before using them. This will make them pliable and easier to work with.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling

Start by cooking and shredding your choice of meat. In a separate pan, sauté the onions and garlic until they are soft. Add the shredded meat and rehydrated chili sauce to the pan and cook for a few minutes until the flavors are well combined. Set the filling aside to cool.

2. Make the Masa Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the masa harina, lard, chicken broth, and baking powder. Mix until a soft and smooth dough forms. If the dough feels too dry, you can add more chicken broth. If it is too wet, add more masa harina.

3. Assemble the Tamales

Take a soaked corn husk and spread a thin layer of masa dough on it, leaving a small border on the edges. Add a spoonful of the filling in the center of the dough. Fold the sides of the corn husk over the filling and roll it up, tucking in the ends. Repeat this process until all the ingredients are used up.

4. Steam the Tamales

Place the tamales in a steamer and steam them for about an hour. You can also use a large pot with a steamer inset if you don't have a traditional steamer. Make sure to add water to the pot and check on the tamales occasionally to ensure they don't dry out.

5. Serve and Enjoy

Once the tamales are cooked, remove them from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes. Unwrap the corn husks and serve the tamales hot with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, avocado, or sour cream. Enjoy the delicious flavors of Mexico in every bite. Now that you have the recipe for authentic Mexican hot tamales, you can impress your friends and family with this delicious and traditional dish. Follow these simple steps, and you will have the perfect tamales that will transport you to the streets of Mexico. Buen provecho!