Tamales

30 dry corn leaves 
2 lbs instant masa mix, mixed with water and ready for use 
8 oz. lard 
1/2 tsp baking powder 
1/2 tsp salt 
1 cup pork broth 
1 lb pork loin 
8 oz red tomatoes 
1 spoon chopped onion 
1 clove garlic 
1/8 tsp ground pepper 
3 cloves 
1/8 tsp bay leaves 
1/8 tsp cumin 
1/8 tsp oregano 
1/8 tsp thyme 

Cook the pork in water and when it is cooked chop it finely like ground hamburger. Puree the rest of the ingredients of the picadillo, fry in oil, and when it is reduced add the chopped pork and mix. You can add if you want one tsp raisins, 6 chopped olives, and 1 tsp capers. This is the stuffing you will now stuff your tamales with. 

In a big sauce pan put the masa and all of the ingredients except the corn husks. With your hands mix everything. Wash the corn husks and soak them for 10-15 minutes. Then take the husks out of the water and they are ready to be filled with the tamale dough. One tablespoon of the picadillo filling goes in the middle of the tamale dough in the husk. 

Spread the dough in the middle of the husk and put the picadillo in the middle of this dough. Then fold the tamale sides first and then the skinny end and then the other end last. It is best to steam the tamales in a pan suspended in a larger pan of water for 1 hour covered. 

Serve with your favorite red salsa if you want or they are good by themselves. 

Yesterday's Recipe

browse recipes