Christmas Eve Tamales Tutorial

For more  years than I can remember we have had Mexican Food on Christmas Eve and most of the time the meal was centered around the Tamales. We will be having the Tamales on Christmas Eve this year and I wanted to share them with you. I really don't know how many times I have made the Tamales or who made them first in our family, it is just something that is passed along from one generation to another and each one puts his or her special little season to the Tamale.

Corn and Black Bean Tamale 
With Orange Cranberry Sauce

Basic Tamale Dough
Miz Helen's Kitchen
Makes 12 Tamale

2 cups Masa Harina
2 cups Boiling Water
11 tablespoons vegetable shortening or Lard chilled
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
1/2 cup chicken stock, chilled

• In a mixer with paddle attachment mix the Masa Harina, cumin, and Cayenne pepper

• Add the boiling water in a steady stream to the mixing bowl while the mixer is on medium speed. Continue to mix until the dough forms a ball. Continue to mix  for five minutes.

• Transfer the dough ball to a clean bowl and refrigerate the dough for one hour.

• Returning the dough to the mixer, beat the dough on medium to high for five more minutes.

• With the mixer running add the vegetable shortening 2 tablespoons at a time and mix well with each addition until the entire shortening amount has been added and the mixture is smooth.

• Combine the salt baking powder and chilled Chicken stock, slowing adding the mixture to the dough while the mixer is running. Mix until thoroughly combined.

Mix Until It Forms A Ball

After The Ball has Chilled Mix Again

The Corn Husk
Miz Helen's Kitchen

• Rinse the Corn Husk

• Soak the Corn Husk in warm water about 30 minutes.

• Take the Corn Husk from the water and place it on a towel then  pat the Husk dry.

• Tear enough stripes of Husk to tie the Tamale

Soak The Corn Husk

Pat The Corn Husk Dry

Corn & Black Bean Tamale Filling
Miz Helen's Kitchen
Makes Filling for 12 Tamale
2 cups Shredded & chopped Pork cooked
1 cup Frozen Corn & Black Bean Vegetable Mix
1 1/2 cups of Chili Sauce( recipe follows)

• In a skillet add the shredded and chopped pork and 1 cup of the Frozen Corn & Black Bean Vegetable Mix.

• Add 1 1/2 cups of Chili Sauce and mix well.

• Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until most of the liquid has been reduced.

Mix The Pork, Vegetables, and Chili Sauce

The Chili Sauce
Miz Helen's Kitchen
6 Cascabel/Guajillo Chili Pods ( These are the dried long red chili that you can find in most super markets)
4 cups warm water

• Take the stem off and remove all the seeds

• Soak the chili in warm water for about 15 minutes, then pour the chili and the water into the blender.

• Blend until the sauce becomes thick.

Soak The Peppers

Blend The Pepper and Water

Blend Until The Sauce is Thick

The Cranberry Orange Sauce
Miz Helen's Kitchen
11/2 cups whole cranberry sauce
1 cup Mandarin Oranges chopped and drained
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup pecans
4 tablespoons of the Cascabel/Guajillo Chili Sauce (recipe above)
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

• Mix well and bring to a simmer. Serve warm

Mix and Simmer

Assemble The Tamale
Miz Helen's Kitchen

• Spread the dry Corn Husk with a fairly thin layer of the masa dough

• Place about 1 tablespoon of the filling down the center of the masa dough

• Roll the Tamale

• Tie the Tamale

Assemble The Tamale

Cooking the Tamale
Miz Helen's Kitchen

• Steam the Tamale in a steamer for 1 hour. Make sure the lid to your steamer is tight. Some people like to wrap their Tamales in a towel to steam, but if your lid fits right you won't have to wrap them.

• Remove the Tamale and let them dry on a  cookie sheet for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Steam The Tamale

I will be serving the Corn & Black Bean Tamale with The Cranberry Orange Sauce with a garnish of Cilantro.

I have other Tamale recipes that I will be sharing with you as we continue to blog together. I hope that your Christmas will be the best ever. You are very special to us here at the Country Cottage and we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Peace and Joy
Miz Helen

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