Authentic Nicaraguan Recipes

NICARAGUAN NACATAMALES (NICARAGUAN STYLE TAMALE)

Steps:

• Place the masa harina, lard or shortening and salt in a large bowl.
• Mix well to incorporate the fat into the masa harina and give it a mealy texture.
• Add the sour orange juice and enough chicken stock to make a soft, moist dough.
• Use a mixer to incorporate some air into the masa.
• Cover the bowl and set the masa aside to rest for at least 30 minutes.
• Season the pork with salt and pepper.
• Drain the rice.
• Assemble all of your filling ingredients and assembly items.
• Start assembling the nacatamales
• Lay out a banana leaf square with the smooth side up.
• Place 1 cup of the masa in the middle of the banana leaf and, using wet hands, spread it out a little.
• Put about 1/2 cup of pork on top of the masa and sprinkle 1 or 2 tablespoons of rice over the pork. Lay 1 or 2 slices of potato on top of the pork and then top with 1 or 2 pieces of onion, 1 or 2 pieces of pepper and a slice of tomato.
• Add next the prunes, olive, raisins and capers
• Fold the top edge of the banana leaf down over the filling.
• Bring the bottom edge of the banana leaf up over this.
• Then fold in both sides to make a rectangular package.
• Be careful not to wrap it too tightly or the filling will squeeze out.
• Flip the package over so it is seam side down.
• secure with string like a package
• Repeat until all the masa and filling material is used up
• Add 3 inches of water to a pot large enough to hold all the nacatamales.
• Place a rack in the bottom so they are mostly out of the water.
• Add the nacatamales and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Cover tightly, reduce heat to low and steam for 3 to 4 hours.
• Add more water as needed to keep the pot from boiling dry.
• Remove the nacatamales from the pot.
• Serve hot, please note the banana leaf should not be consumed.
• Enjoy!

NICARAGUAN TRES LECHES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9x13 inch baking pan.
• 2. Sift flour and baking powder together and set aside.
• 3. Cream butter or margarine and the 1 cup sugar together until fluffy. Add eggs and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; beat well.
• 4. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture 2 tablespoons at a time; mix until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• 5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Pierce cake all over with a fork.
• 6. Combine the whole milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk together. Pour over the top of the cooled cake. Be careful to not over do it since you should have some left over that you will not need. I recommend placing the cake in the fridge for one hour and letting it soak up the milk before adding the whip cream mixture.
• 7. Whip whipping cream, the remaining 1 cup of the sugar, and the remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla extract together until thick. You are going to need an electric mixer for this. Spread over the top of cake and refrigerate overnight, enjoy!