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How to Make Tamales

How to Make Tamales

By Food & Wine

Updated May 17, 2017

Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

With creamy masa dough and tender shredded chicken, these delicious homemade tamales get a kick of flavor thanks to a vibrant tomatillo-cilantro salsa.

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Mission: DIY Chicken Tamales

Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

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To host a tamale-making party, prepare the components in advance and set them out; guests can make their own tamales from start to finish or work together assembly-line style. Lay out paper for wrapping, pens for labeling and resealable plastic bags for transporting uncooked tamales home.

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First: Make the Dough

Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

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Masa harina, made from corn, is the key ingredient in tamale dough.

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Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

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In a large bowl, stir the masa with the hot water until evenly moistened.

Cooking with Corn

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Knead several times to make a smooth dough.

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Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

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In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the lard with the butter at medium speed until smooth

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Add the salt and baking powder and beat at medium-low speed until incorporated.

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With the machine on, add the masa in 4 batches, beating until smooth and scraping down the bowl occasionally.

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Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

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Pour in the stock in a steady stream and beat until the dough is fluffy and soft.

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Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

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It should have the consistency of thick corn bread batter.

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Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

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Refrigerate the tamale dough in the bowl for 30 minutes, then return the bowl to the mixer and beat the dough at high speed for 1 minute before assembling the tamales.

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Next: Prepare the Husks and Filling

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Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cornhusks, remove from the heat and let stand, turning the husks once or twice, until softened, about 2 hours. Drain the cornhusks and shake off as much water as possible.

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Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

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In a medium roasting pan, toss the tomatillos, onion, garlic and chiles with the oil. Roast, stirring twice, until the vegetables are very soft and browned in spots.

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Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

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Transfer the vegetables and any juices to a blender or food processor. Add the lime juice and cilantro and puree until smooth.

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Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

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In a large enameled cast-iron casserole or Dutch oven, pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover and braise in the oven until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot and let cool slightly.

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Set the pot over moderately high heat and boil the sauce, stirring frequently, until reduced to 2 1/2 cups.

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Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

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Discard the chicken skin and shred the meat into bite-size pieces. Add the chicken to the sauce and let cool completely.

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Next: Assemble the Tamales

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Arrange 1 husk on a work surface with the narrow end pointing away from you. On the wide end, spread 3 tablespoons of the Tamale Dough in a 5-by-3-inch rectangle, leaving a 1/2-inch border of husk at the bottom.

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Photo © Matthew Armendariz (mattbites.com)

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Spoon 2 tablespoons of the cooled filling in the center of the Tamale Dough.

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Fold in the long sides of the husk, overlapping them to enclose the filling.

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Fold the narrow end toward you, over the tamale; it will be open at the wide end.

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Next: Steam the Tamales

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Stand the tamale, open end up, in a very large steamer insert. Repeat with the remaining cornhusks, tamale dough and filling.

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Fill the bottom of the steamer with 4 inches of water and bring to a boil. Add the tamales, spread some of the remaining cornhusks over the top and cover with the lid; wrap foil around the edge if necessary to make a tight seal. Steam the tamales over moderately low heat for 1 1/2 hours. Uncover and let cool.