Excellent Tamales

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Recipe submitted by bas9@dana.ucc.nau.edu

Excellent Tamales

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

2 cup water
2-3 tablespoon mild chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8-1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
black pepper
1 tablespoon margarine
1/4 container of Baca Chili (hot)
2-3 cup cooked spanish rice
1 16 oz. can of refried beans
2 oz diced green chiles

Directions:

Serves 3 dozen.

In a saucepan, pour in the 2c.water, add the mild chili powder, and stir. Now sprinkle the garlic powder, garlic salt, and black pepper on top of the water, add the margarine, and cook to a boil, stirring once in awhile. After the mixture begins to boil, add the Baca Chili, cook about 10 more minutes, then add 1/2 of this mixture to the cooked rice and refried bean mixture. Cook down to a light paste.

Now follow the directions on the back of the prepared masa package, replacing the necessary lard with vegetable shortening, and the necessary water with the rest of the spicy water mixture. Test the finishe'd masa product by rolling a piece into a ball about the size of your pinky finger, and trying to float it in a glass of warm water. If need be, you may add more vegetable shortening until it does float.

Now you are ready to assemble. Soak your corn husks in water for 24 hours prior to assembling, dry them off, add a thin layer of masa, the desired amount of filling, fold, roll, and steam for approximatly 1 hour, or until masa feels firm to the touch.

Enjoy.

Source: my father.

You don't have masa or corn husks listed on the ingredients list.

Archived comment by: mindy

What is masa? Is there a recipe for it or do I have to buy it? Is there a substitute forit? Where can I get it? Sorry about the password Mayme Icouldnt remember mine!

Archived comment by: mayme

What is Baca Chilli? Where do you get it?

Archived comment by: jennifer

Masa is made from corn meal. You can buy it in a mix that you add water and vegetable shortning to or you can buy it already prepared at some mexican markets (be sure to ask that it not be prepared with lard).

Archived comment by: anna

me and my uncle made Tamales once, i think the Baca Chillis are for color and flavor, ive heard of poeple not useing the chilli, and the masa comes out really white, the chilli gives a good flavor and a orange yellow color , you can also use Soy Chorizo insted of Beans.

Archived comment by: sunShine Deli

I really need to know if tamales can be made without lard, shortening or oil. I have bought these tamales in the past that don't list any of these in the ingredients, but maybe they are included in the first ingredient: corn masa? Is the fat necessary for the taste or can a substitute be used?

Archived comment by: joeA

JoeA--I really don't think the lard/shortening/margarine is absolutely necessary. In my opinion, its mostly for traditional flavoring (non-vegan tamales are usually quite fatty). Its been quite a while since I've made them, and I really don't remember what recipe I used. I think I probably just used/modified a recipe that comes on a package of cornmeal. Tamales are really just cornmeal rolled in corn husks. You can add a wide variety of ingredients--fresh corn, peppers, meat substitutes, etc. I'd just experiement if I were you. I hope this helps.

Archived comment by: willwolf

Willwolf, thanks very much for the inspiration to experiment. That is exactly what I needed.

Archived comment by: joeA

this sounds really good, but it would be better if you posted a variation for serving not as many people.

Archived comment by: jessiecooks

jessiecooks, I think that it makes 3 dozen tamales, not serves 3 dozen people. sounds like a great recipe!

Archived comment by: marthamydear

I'm sure there is a way to make the tamale batter vegan. I know at some of the mexican markets, I have seen the green corn tamales from El Salvador...of course the batter is made with margerine...so I'm sure you could substitute the margerine for soy margerine.

Archived comment by: animeheather

yes, the way the recipe states makes a vegan batter. And most margarines are vegan.

Archived comment by: idcgirl

Is the Masa refered to - Masa Harina flour - if so here in Tennessee I can get it at nearly any supermarket in the Mexican/ethnic food sections...I have used this for years to make homemade soft corn tortillas for enchiladas etc - i believe the only ingredients are corn lime and salt-------- to make the tortillas you only add water ---- so you could possibly not use oil? also Baca Chili(s) or Boca Chili ? LOL

Archived comment by: vonnegite

Masa is the result of mixing the masa harina with water and the other ingredients. If you can't find corn husks, you can use parchment paper. Baca Chili is found in the freezer section on the grocery, near other meatless meat things. I have never heard of baca chilis, but that doesn't mean any thing. You don't have to use the oil or shortening but you need some thing to hold air in the mix. If you only use water you will have corn gorditas. I think this recipe makes about 3 dozen tamales, so it would serve six to ten people.

Archived comment by: lFLno1

Bacas Chili is available in the southwestern U.S. at Albertsons. Its a roasted chili pepper mixture, and comes in 8 oz containers in hot or mild varieties.

Archived comment by: oryzias

My family has been making tamales for the holidays for as far back as I can remember but this is the first time I tried them myself. I couldnt believe the trick about floating a flour ball in water but I guess it works!

Archived comment by: apricot