Tamales Recipe from GourmetFoodPlaza.com

Gourmet Food Plaza

Tamales Recipe.....you'll find more recipes like this in our Recipe pages

Tamales
This recipe will take both time and effort, but the results are out of this world! Guests will be amazed that you created these beautiful packets from scratch. If you’re short on time, try our tamale pie instead.
Serves 2 dozen
5 cups	shredded beef chicken or shredded pork filling
8 oz	dried corn husks
2/3 cup	lard or shortening
4 cups	masa harina flour (Mexican corn masa mix)
2 tsp	salt
3 cups	broth from filling or water
1/3 cup	lard or vegetable shortening, melted

-	Sort corn husks, setting aside any torn ones.
-	Soak intact husks in warm water for at least 1 hour or until softened and easy to fold.

-	Beat 2/3 cup lard in large mixer bowl until creamy.
-	Combine masa harina and salt in medium bowl.
-	Alternately add masa harina mixture and broth to lard, mixing well after each addition.
-	Gradually add melted lard, mixing until consistency of thick cake batter (masa).

-	Spread 1/4 cup masa, using back of spoon, to form a square in the center of one husk.
-	Place about 1/4 cup meat filling in center of masa square.
-	Fold right then left edge of husk over masa.
-	Fold up bottom edge.
-	Repeat with remaining ingredients.

-	Place vegetable steamer in pot with lid; add water to just below steamer.
-	Arrange tamales upright in steamer rack.
-	Cover top of tamales with reserved dry husks and a damp towel; cover.
-	Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low.
-	Steam, adding water as needed, for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until masa pulls away from husks.

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