From: arielle@taronga.com (Stephanie da Silva)
Subject: Tamales
Organization: Taronga Park BBS
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 17:03:45 GMT

This is a simplified recipe for tamales but they still should have a
fairly authentic taste.

Basic tamales

24 dried corn husks
1 cup lard
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups masa harina mix
1 1/2 cups warm pork or poultry broth filling (Turkey in Green Mole 
      Sauce or Pork in Red Tomato Sauce)

To saok corn husks, cover with warm water; weigh down.  Let soak at
least 3 hours or overnight.

For tamale dough: Beat lard and salt until fluffy.  Slowly beat in
masa harina mix alternately with broth until very light and fluffy.

To assemble tamales: Drain corn husks, pat dry.  Spread 2 tablespoons
dough on center of husks forming a 3 x 2-inch rectangle and spreading
copletely to right edge.

Spoon 1 tablespoon filling lengthwise down center of rectangle.

To enclose tamales, turn right side over to center of filling; fold
left side over filling, allowing plain part of husk to wrap around
filling.  Fold top end down over bottom end.  Secure ends by tying a
string around center of tamale.

To steam tamales, place a rack 2 inches above gently boiling water
in steamer or 4-quart dutch oven.  Stack tamales, folded side down,
on rack.  Cover, steam about 2 hours or until done.  To test for
doneness, remove one tamale from center and one from side of steamer.
Open husks; tamales should be firm and come away easily from husk.
Makes 24.

Turkey in green mole sauce

3/4 cup turkey or chicken broth
1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup canned, drained, chopped tomatillos
1/4 cup chopped onion
4 serrano chilies, seeded and chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 garlic cloves
2 sprigs fresh coriander
2 tablespoons lard
2 cups shredded, cooked turkey or chicken

Place broth, sesame seed, cumin and pepper in blender container.  
Blend until smooth, set aside.  Place tomatillos, onions, chilies, 
salt, garlic and coriander in blender, blend until smooth.  Heat lard 
in heavy 10-inch skillet; add tomato puree (hm, I noticed this recipe 
neglected to list the amount.  I'd say try 1/8 to 1/2 cup).  Cook over 
high heat about 10 minutes or until reduced, stirring occasionally.  
Reduce heat.  Gradually stir in sesame seed mixture.  Do not boil.  
Add turkey; continue cooking over low heat 5 to 10 minutes or until
mixture is thick.  Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

Note: To use fresh tomatillos, remove papery husks; rinse.  Place in
saucepan, cover with water.  Simmer about 10 minutes, or until tender.
Drain.

Pork in red tomato sauce

2 large ripe tomatoes
2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lard
1/2 cup choped onion
4 fresh jalapenos, seeded and chopped
2 cups shredded cooked pork

Broil tomatoes until charred on all sides; cool.  Place in blender
container with garlic and salt; blend until smooth.  Heat lard in
heavy 10-inch skillet.  Add onion; saute until tender.  Add tomato
puree and chilies.  Continue cooking over medium heat about 5 minutes.  
Add pork; continue cooking over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until
mixture is thick.  Makes about 2 1/2 cups pork filling.

Sweet tamales

32 dried corn husks
1 cup lard
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups masa harina mix
1 1/2 cups warm water
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2/3 cup chopped pecans
2/3 cup raisins

Soak husks according to directions in Basic Tamales.  For tamale dough: 
Beat lard and salt until fluffy.  Slowly beat in masa mix alternately 
with water until very light and fluffy.  Add brown sugar, baking powder,
cinnamon and nutmeg, mixing until well blended.

To assemble tamales: Drain corn husks; pat dry.  Spread 2 tablespoons
dough on center of husks, forming a 3 x 2-inch rectangle and spreading
completely to right edge.  Spoon 1 teaspoon each pecans and raisins 
lengthwise down center of rectangle.

To enclose and steam tamales, proceed according to directions in Basic
Tamales.  Makes 32.

-- 
Stephanie da Silva                                    arielle@taronga.com