Every Christmas morning, the aroma of tamales fills my home, wrapping us in warmth and nostalgia. The process begins long before dawn; it’s a family affair where laughter mingles with the sounds of corn husks rustling and masa being spread. Making tamales is not just about food; it's about tradition, love, and togetherness.
Tamales are a cherished part of Mexican culture, especially during festive seasons like Christmas. Each one is a little gift wrapped in corn dough (masa) that holds savory fillings waiting to be discovered. This recipe captures the essence of those holiday gatherings—where every hand plays a role in creating something beautiful.
Ingredients:
- For the Masa: 4 cups masa harina (dried nixtamalized corn flour), 1 cup lard or vegetable shortening (for richness), 2 teaspoons baking powder (to lighten), 1 teaspoon salt (for flavor), 3-4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (to hydrate).
- For the Filling: Choose your favorite! Options include shredded pork with red sauce (puerco rojo), chicken with green salsa (pollo con salsa verde), or even sweet variations filled with fruits.
Steps to Make Tamales:
- Prepare Your Workstation: Gather all ingredients and tools—a large mixing bowl for your masa, another bowl for filling, and plenty of soaked corn husks ready to wrap.
- Make the Masa: In a large bowl, beat lard until fluffy—this step is crucial as it incorporates air into your dough making it light and spongy. Gradually add masa harina along with baking powder and salt while alternating between adding broth until you achieve a soft but pliable consistency that can easily spread on husks.
- Assemble Your Tamales: Take a soaked corn husk; smear about two tablespoons of masa onto its center leaving space at both ends for folding over later. Add your desired filling down the middle then fold sides over tightly before rolling from bottom to top into an envelope shape.
- Steam Them Up: Place assembled tamales upright in a steamer basket lined with more corn husks or cloths to prevent sticking. Steam them for about an hour until they’re firm yet tender when unwrapped—the perfect texture!
- Rest Before Serving: Let them sit covered after steaming so they finish cooking through residual heat which enhances their flavor profile.
The beauty lies not only in how delicious these tamales taste but also in what they represent—a time-honored tradition shared among loved ones during special occasions like Christmas morning when we unwrap each one eagerly before diving into presents under our tree.
Tamale-making can feel daunting at first glance due to its multi-step nature—but once you gather friends or family around this culinary adventure becomes joyous rather than laborious! So roll up those sleeves because there’s no such thing as too many tamales during this season—they should be enjoyed abundantly!