The traditional Mexican and the Spanish cuisine had given the world numerous tasty dishes that include tortas, tostadas, flautas, and enchiladas. One such dish that does not always garner quite as much needed attention is the tamales. They can contain the fillings like cheese, fruit, vegetables, and meat that was being served right inside the corn-based dough or the masa. It is eaten right across the Caribbean, U.S., and some parts of South America. The tamales can be considered as a great representation of the richness and for the diversity if the Hispanic cuisine.
If you want to be able to expand the collection of the recipes while better understanding the Mexican and the Spanish cultures, here are some tips and tricks that can help you achieve the tasty tamales recipe.
First of all, no matter what fills inside the tamales, you have to always make sure that you make your own masa. With any other recipe, doing so can allow you to have full control over the quality of the tamales. All that you need for the masa is the cornflour and lard, and there are some stores that sell mixes that will require the addition of the lard. For the masa, you want to have a sticky dough that can be malleable as compared with other many ways to that of cookie dough. For the smooth masa, you can use the corn tortilla masa that is finer than that of the tamale. Regardless of the masa that you will use, the three pounds must result in about a pound or more of husks.
Secondly, if you decide to cook for the traditional chicken tamales, then you are going to require meat, onions, garlic, green chilies, and flour and some lard for the masa. But, there can be one ingredient that a lot of people forget that can give a huge impact on the tamales and that is the meat juice. Once that the meat is done from cooking, you can save that juice and you can put it into the back of the tamales. Make sure that you are going to do your best in order to soak the juice from the pan right inside the oven and coat it back right into the chicken. The same also if you end up cooking with the pork or beef. This step can help prevent drying the tamales or having to add in paste afterward for the needed flavor.
The last step is in terms of wrapping. In a lot of ways, the tamales are truly delicious more than just the meat inside or that of the soft masa located outside. It is how you are going to wrap it that makes it not only a less messy meal but at the same time, it can also help to balance the flavor combinations. Make sure to use less masa which can prevent overstuffing in the first place. To add, make it sure also that you are to spread filling on the smooth side of the husk that can help when you are will tie the tamales together. Lastly, if ever the husk rips off, do not be afraid to use another husk in order to rebuild or to patch on the hole. The famous method is to use double tie which will not only make it more pleasing to the eyes but at the same time structurally sound.