Fresh Corn Tamales
Wrapped in tender corn husks, these tamales are bursting with flavors of hominy grits, roasted poblano chilies, and Mexican cheese. Each bite provides a delightful blend of textures and tastes that will transport you to the heart of traditional Mexican cuisine. Enjoy the process of assembling these tamales and savor the rewarding moment of unwrapping these little packages of joy.
— Constant Cookbook
Ingredients
- 2 packages (each 8 oz.) corn husks
- 1 1/2 cups hominy grits
- 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
- 2 Tbs. olive oil
- 16 cups pureed fresh corn kernels (from about
- 24 ears of corn)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 lb. Mexican cheese, such as
- or
- or white cheddar cheese,
- cut into 1-inch squares about 1/4 inch thick
- 8 poblano chilies, roasted, peeled, seeded and
- cut into 1/2-inch strips
- 25 to 30 pieces of kitchen twine, each 12 to 15
- inches long
Instructions
- Place the corn husks in a large pot, cover with water by at least 3 inches and weight the husks to prevent them from floating. Bring the water to a simmer, remove the pot from the heat and let the husks soak until they are pliable, 3 to 4 hours.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a 10 to 12-quart pot over medium heat, toast the hominy grits until fragrant and nutty, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the butter and olive oil and cook, stirring constantly, until the grits are slightly golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the corn puree and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is very thick and the grits are just firm to the bite, 15 to 18 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and thoroughly fold in the baking powder. Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until cool and slightly firm, 2 to 3 hours.
- To assemble the tamales, lay 2 corn husks on a work surface, overlapping each other by 3 to 4 inches, with tapered ends pointed outward. Place 1/2 cup of the corn mixture in the center of the inside husk, leaving a 1-inch border on each side. Top the filling with 1 or 2 pieces of cheese and 1 or 2 chili strips. Fold the edges of the inside husk over the filling, then fold the tapered end into the center over the filling. Turn this husk over so the folded edges are facing down. Wrap the outside husk over the filled one in the same manner. Using a piece of kitchen twine, tie the tamale snug to secure the filling inside. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 25 to 30 tamales.
- Fill a large pot with a steamer insert with 1 1/2 to 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Make sure the steamer does not touch the water. Working in batches, arrange the tamales in the steamer and cook, occasionally checking the water level and adding more as needed, until the tamales are hot and slightly puffed, about 45 minutes. Serve immediately.
Comments
No comments found.