Homemade Tamales Recipe

Tamales can be filled with many ingredients, which are always delicious and nutritious. There are as many recipes for homemade tamales as there are regional cuisines in the countries of the center and south of the American continent. Even each family can have their tricks and seasonings, which make them unique dishes. In any case, and for those unfamiliar with this delicacy, it is a corn dough filled with sweet and savory ingredients, which is cooked and wrapped in a banana leaf. If you like cooking and want a good time, keep reading and discover step-by-step how to make them at home. We assure you that the final result is worth it.

What are tamales, and how are they prepared?

Tamales are a typical dish from Central and South America. According to the Larousse Dictionary of Gastronomy, its origin is very old, and there are references to its existence since pre-Columbian times. It can be defined as a corn dough filled with different ingredients and wrapped in a banana leaf (or the same corn) where it has just been cooked. Being a typical dish of the regional diet of many countries, the variables and ways of preparing it are multiple. Thus, depending on the origin (Colombia, Mexico, Honduras, Bolivia, Guatemala, or Ecuador), we can find different fillings, sauces, doughs, and even ways to wrap them. Inside, the cornmeal paste can be accompanied by sweet or savory ingredients. Among the most common are the following:

• Chicken, beef, pork, or chicken meat.
• Onions, peas, tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, carrots.
• Boiled eggs.
• Herbs and spices for seasoning.

Sweet tamales are prepared with sweetened corn dough and filled with fruit, honey, jam, or quince. Some may also include raisins, peanuts, or walnuts. The appeal of this preparation lies in its presentation and the deliciousness of the filling ingredients. Once opened, they can be served on a plate or eaten on the same sheet used to wrap.

Homemade tamales recipe

To cook a recipe for homemade tamales, it is necessary to have all the ingredients and a little patience. It is an elaborate dish that requires different preparations (dough, sauce, filling, and cooking), but they are all simple and very easy to follow with the steps we detail below.

Ingredients

For the broth and chicken

• Five hundred grams of chicken meat (better the breasts).
• One medium onion.
• Two cloves of garlic.
• One bay leaf.
• Water.
• Salt and pepper to taste.

For the mass

• 200 grams of lard.
• Five hundred grams of corn flour.
• One teaspoon of baking powder.
• A pinch of salt.
• 500 milliliters of chicken broth.
• Banana leaves.
• Thread for cooking.

For the filling sauce

• One onion.
• 3 or 4 tomatoes.
• One clove of garlic.
• Three serrano chiles.
• Water.
• A pinch of cumin.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Four tablespoons of olive oil.

Preparation

• First of all, you need to prepare the chicken broth. To do this, place the chicken, the onion, the two cloves of garlic, and the bay leaf in a large pot. Let simmer on low heat for half an hour. Cover with enough water and salt and pepper to taste.
• After this time, strain the liquid and reserve it for later use.
• Start by washing and dicing the tomato. Then peel and cut the onion and put them to fry in a casserole with the oil and garlic. Add the chili, cover with a little water, and cook for about 15 minutes over medium heat. Then continue preparing the sauce for the filling.
• Season it with salt, pepper, and cumin when it is cooked. Then mix the ingredients well and put them all in a blender glass. Blend until a homogeneous sauce is left. Turn off the heat and reserve. Return to the casserole and cook with the shredded chicken for 5 minutes to integrate all the flavors.
• The last preparation in this recipe for homemade tamales is dough preparation. In this case, heat the lard in a saucepan to make it more manageable. Then, add half of the cornmeal gradually and without stopping mixing. Then, add 250 milliliters of your reserved chicken broth and continue working with the dough. Everything has to be well integrated.
• Repeat these steps with the rest of the flour and broth. Finally, add the salt and yeast or baking powder. The final consistency has to be wet but manageable. Add a little more broth if necessary (because it is very dry).

Final cooking

At this moment, the three elaborations are ready. It only remains to fill the tamales and give the last cooking. 

• Take a banana leaf (well-washed) and add two tablespoons of corn dough to it. Extend and place another tablespoon of sauce with chicken on top.
• Wrap all the contents with the sheet (as if it were a gift) and close it with the kitchen twine. Repeat this operation until you finish all the dough.
• Tamales can be steamed or boiled in a large pot. Whichever method is chosen, they must remain on the fire for about 50 minutes.

After this time, they will be ready and ready to eat. To do this, it is necessary to open the packaging. The edible part is the stuffed corn dough. To taste, this can be seasoned with more chicken with sauce or any other seasoning.

Other tips to prepare the recipe for homemade tamales

As you have seen, tamales are an elaborate dish, but it does not represent great difficulty. You must follow each step in detail and ensure the “packages” are well-tied. In this way, we prevent the dough from escaping or spreading at the time of cooking. Remember that this version we have offered is just one of many options. Instead,  you can use whatever meat, vegetables, and spices you like or have on hand. In their countries of origin, tamales are eaten at any time of the day. However, as it is a rather heavy dish, it is perhaps better to avoid them at dinner to prevent possible digestive difficulties. Also, due to the use of lard in a considerable amount, it is preferable to prepare this dish in moderation. As the American Heart Association points out, excessive consumption of saturated fats can harm the heart. Beyond this note, it is a complete dish providing carbohydrates and proteins. It can be accompanied by a salad or a fruit salad for dessert.

Enjoy this delicious recipe for homemade tamales

Preparing typical dishes from the country or other regions is an activity that can be very pleasant and a way of traveling through gastronomy. On this occasion, we have told you how to prepare tamales, a typical recipe from the American continent that was already enjoyed in pre-Hispanic times. This has many steps, although most are easy to make. For this reason, we encourage you to cook with your family or friends and thus have a good time between the stoves.