I first learned about tamales a few months ago. Tamales are steamed corn dough that is often filled with meat or other things. The tamales are usually wrapped in corn husks when they are steamed. When I came across the tamales corn was not in season so I bookmarked the page to come back to later. Now that corn is in season I got a chance to try them.
I decided to go with a shredded chicken filling and I though that I would add the corn from the cobs. So I used the corns husks in addition to their the kernels and I used a corn flour for the dough. The corn kernels added a nice sweetness to the heat of the shredded chicken. Of course one of my favorite herbs, cilantro was also in the shredded chicken mix. The tamales turned out pretty good. I topped them with some salsa. You could also have them with sour cream, cheese, etc.
Tamales with Shredded Chicken and Corn Filling
ingredients
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening (or corn oil)
- 1 cup maseca (corn flour)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup warm water (or stock)
- 1 cup texmex shredded chicken with corn
- 4 large corn husks
directions
- Beat the shortening until it is fluffy.
- Add the maseca, baking powder, salt and water and mix it until it has a dough like consistency.
- Take a spoonful of the dough and flatten it out.
- Place a spoonful of the shredded chicken in the middle and wrap the dough around it.
- Wrap the dough in a corn husk and place it in the steamer standing up.
- Repeat.
- Steam the tamales for an hour. The dough should be firm and it should not stick to the husk when done.
katiez says
September 6, 2007 at 8:17 amI never knew how to make Tamales! I always thought it was one of those things you had to grow up knowing…
Yours look lovely…I finally have some sweet corn, I’m tempted…
Kalyn says
September 6, 2007 at 12:25 pmI have a sister-in-law from New Mexico and she makes the most delicious tamales. I like the idea of putting the corn in the filling, I bet it’s very tasty!
Janet says
September 6, 2007 at 1:27 pmThis looks delicious… and I don’t want to jinx myself… but I think my kids might actually eat this!!
Deborah says
September 6, 2007 at 4:08 pmI grew up in New Mexico and LOVE tamales!! I have never made them myself – I need to try this!
Cynthia says
September 7, 2007 at 12:12 amWhere do you find the time to cook all the wondersful dishes and blog about it everyday?!
Rasa Malaysia says
September 7, 2007 at 10:58 pmI love tamales…they are good…but recently I found sweet tamales, just plain and no filling but sweet. Yum.
Nicole says
September 14, 2007 at 7:30 pmI love tamales! Me and my family always make them for the holidays. Next time you should try pork butt (if you eat pork) with adobo chiles… yummm
Suzer says
March 21, 2008 at 5:28 amYou poor deprived child! You hadn’t heard of tamales until now?
Terri-Lynn says
January 30, 2011 at 2:55 amHey Kevin, I was getting ready to make these and I was wondering if you used pre-dried corn husks or if they were fresh. Thanks ahead of time.
Kevin says
February 1, 2011 at 1:32 pmTerri-Lynn: I used the dry ones as they are easier for me to find but the fresh ones work as well.