Wondering how to cook Tamales? Tamales are a delicious Mexican dish traditionally made with masa. A type of corn dough, and filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables. Tamales can be steamed or boiled, and are typically served with a salsa or mole sauce. The recipe for cornmeal dough is relatively simple and can be found on the package that the cornmeal is sold in. The process of making these is a little more difficult and time consuming, but the rewards are plentiful. In this article, we will show you how to cook tamales step-by-step, so that you can enjoy this delicious dish at home. If you follow these steps and tips, you should have no problem making your own tamales.
Steps Involved In Cooking Tamales
Step 1: Prepare the masa
Masa is the corn-based dough that forms the basis of tamales. You can find pre-made masa in grocery stores and online, but it’s very easy to make yourself at home.
Step 2: Prepare your dough
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of masa harina with 1 1/2 cups of water and knead until smooth. The mixture should be like soft playdough—not sticky but also not too dry so that it crumbles apart when you press on it. If you need more water, add another tablespoon at a time until the dough is just moist enough to hold together when pressed between your fingers; if it feels too wet or sticky, add more masa harina by spoonfuls until you reach the right consistency.
Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 15 minutes before using (this makes for easier rolling). It will keep for about a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator; leave it out on countertop overnight before cooking if possible so that all moisture has evaporated from within its walls.
Step 3: Prepare the filling
You’ve got the corn husks soaking, and now it’s time to get down to business. Prepare the filling. Before you start cooking, think about what kind of tamale you want to make: Are they going to be sweet or savory? What kind of meat do you have on hand? Do you want to try something different than just beef or chicken? This is where all those ideas of flavor combinations can come in handy. Because this recipe isn’t meant to be restrictive.
Basic ingredients for any type of filling include meat (ground beef works best), beans, and vegetables such as shredded cabbage or corn kernels. You’ll also need some spices—some people like cumin while others prefer chili powder—and tomato sauce if desired.
Other possibilities include chilies or jalapeños in adobo sauce. Pinto beans instead of black beans. Diced tomatoes instead of tomato sauce…the list goes on! Finish your filling with chopped garlic cloves before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge until ready for use when making your tamales later on this afternoon/evening/morning/whenever-you-want-to-eat-them mealtime tomorrow morning.
Step 4: Steam the tamales
Once the tamales have been steamed, they need to cool before you can eat them. A common way of cooling tamales is by putting them in a pan of cold water and adding ice cubes until they are fully cooled down. Additionally, if you have inventive techniques for crafting tamales, or simply desire to exhibit your mouthwatering recipes to a wider audience of Instagram users, consider exploring Mixx to enhance your Instagram visibility.
Final Words
Tamales are a delicious traditional food that you can make at home. The recipe is easy to follow and the best part is that you can make a large batch at once and freeze them for later. Check out this blog post for the full recipe and instructions on how to cook tamales.
