Fresh Cheese And Jalapeño Tamales Recipes

TAMALES WITH CHEESE AND JALAPEñO FILLING

Steps:

• Pull 1/4-inch strings from reserved husks to wrap tamales, or use twine; set aside. Cover corn husks (including pulled strings) with warm water and let stand until pliable, at least 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix 2 cups of the broth and remaining tamale dough ingredients. Beat with electric mixer until well combined, adding remaining chicken broth as needed to make soft dough.
• In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Cook and stir onion in oil 2 to 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in chiles; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until hot.
• Drain corn husks; pat dry with paper towels. Place 3 level tablespoonfuls dough on each corn husk; slightly spread out, making indentation in center with back of spoon. Place 1 to 2 strips cheese and onion and chile on center of dough; fold dough around filling. If corn husks are too small, overlap 2 husks. Fold bottom one-third of corn husk over filling; fold sides in toward center. Tie tops with corn husk strings.
• In 5-quart Dutch oven, place round cooling rack. Pour boiling water in Dutch oven, almost touching rack. (Water should not touch tamales when they are added.) Place 6 empty tamale husks on top of rack. Stand tamales inside pots, leaning against sides all around. Cover; reduce heat to medium. Simmer gently 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until tamale dough becomes firm. Add more water if needed during cooking time. Let stand uncovered 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully unfold each tamale by removing string and opening husk.

JALAPENO AND CHEESE TAMALE RECIPE

Steps:

• The first step in this Jalapeno and Cheese Tamale Recipe is to prepare the corn husks. It is an important step because the husks not only provide flavor to the tamale but shape and consistency. The best way to clean the husks is to boil them for 5 minutes or run cool water on top of them.
• Lay them out to dry in a clean area or a plate. You can cut the husks if they are too big, or wrap them tightly once it is time to shape the masa.
• The most important part of this recipe is the masa to make tamales. The masa in this Jalapeno and Cheese Tamale Recipe should be thick and smooth. Take the wet and dry ingredients (not including the cheese or the jalapenos for the filling) and whisk them together.
• In order for the masa to work, it should be sticky and shape well with the husks.
• During the third and final step, you will be filling the corn husks with the masa. It is easiest to do this using a spoon. Take a spoon or two of the masa and spread it in the center of the husk. Make sure that the smooth side of the corn husk is facing up.
• Then, add the filling. You can sprinkle the cheese or melt it beforehand. However, the heat of the steam and boiling water will likely melt the cheese. Make sure at least one jalapeno is in each tamale to bring an extra kick of spice and flavor. Fold the tamales to create a tube-like shape from edge to edge.
• Afterward, boil hot water and stack the tamales inside with the husks. Add the top and boil for approximately 60 minutes. Afterward, lower the heat and allow the steam to come out for 20 minutes. Always wait to cool the tamales before serving.

FRESH CORN TAMALES WITH CHEESE & JALAPEñO RECIPE - (4.3/5)

Steps:

• Place a clean kitchen towel on the counter. Using a sharp knife, remove the kernels from ear of corn. Transfer the corn to the food processor and process until coarsely chopped. If you like it a little smoother, you can process a little longer, set aside. Combine masa harina, chile ancho powder, garlic powder, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Gradually add warm chicken broth and using your hand, work into a soft dough. In another glass bowl, melt the shortening or manteca in the microwave for a minute or so. Add the shortening and the reserved corn to the masa and work with hands until mixed well. If masa seems too thick add a little more chicken broth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. While the masa chills, add the corn husk to a large pot or storage container. Cover completely with really hot water. Use a heavy bowl to weigh down the husk to make sure they stay immersed in the water. Let them soak for a good hour, rotating them halfway through soaking time. Slice the cheese (both kinds) into 2 inch x 1/4 inch strips, set aside. Remove the stems and seeds from the jalapeños and slice each pepper into 8 equal strips, set aside. When ready, take a few of the husks at a time, shake off excess water, if they are more than 4 inches wide, just tear off the side a little. Place the corn husk, smooth side up, in the palm of your hand with the wide side closest to you. With a spoon, spread about 3 to 4 tablespoons of masa all over the bottom half of husk. Add a strip of each kind of cheese and 1 strip of jalapeño lengthwise down the center of the tamale. Fold one side in first, then the other side (it should overlap a little on the first fold). Fold down the empty top section down and lay tamale seam side down until ready to cook. Repeat until all done. Prepare large pot to steam tamales, take a metal steamer that expands out, place it in pot. Fill bottom of pot with about 5 cups of water. Arrange all of your tamales standing up (open side up) around the metal steamer. Insert a smaller, heat-proof bowl in the center of pot to keep the tamales upright. Cover with foil paper, add lid, turn heat to high to get a quick boil going. Reduce heat and steam tamales for 1 hour. Set the timer for 30 minutes at which time you will add another 2 cups of hot water to the pot. Remove from heat and let them sit, covered, until ready to serve. As they cool, they will become more firm. Serve with your favorite salsas and toppings for garnish. NOTES: To check if tamales are done, after steaming for an hour pull one tamale out and let it cool. If the corn husk pulls away easily from the masa, your tamales are done. Whenever I prepare tamales filled with cheese, I like to wrap them in deli paper or foil paper individually as I fill them. This will prevent the cheese from running into the pot. It's optional, but it works well for me. This makes a big batch, but the tamales freeze well. Just make sure they cool completely before wrapping in foil paper and storing in freezer bag. I bundle only 6 tamales per bunch. It Makes for easy defrosting.

CHEESE TAMALES

Steps:

• Place 12 husks in a large bowl, cover with hot water, and weigh down with a plate to keep husks submerged. Soak until soft and pliable, about 2 hours; drain. Peel remaining husks into thin strips to yield 24.
• Place poblanos directly over open flame and char, turning with tongs, until blackened on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and steam 10 minutes. Using a paper towel, peel skin from peppers. Remove stems and seeds and coarsely chop.
• Place a corn husk in your flattened palm. Pinch 1/4 cup dough with other hand and press into center of husk to make a 4-by-3-inch rectangle.
• Press 1/4 cup cheese and 2 tablespoons chopped poblanos into center of dough. Close palm to seal edges of dough and place on a clean work surface with a long side of husk facing you. Roll husk away from you to form a tight log. Fold stem end of husk over and tie with a strip of corn husk. Twist thin end of tamale and tie with another strip of corn husk. Repeat this process to form remaining tamales.
• Insert a steamer basket inside a large pot with 1/2 inch boiling water. Place tamales in basket, cover pot, and steam tamales for 1 hour, checking pot occasionally and adding hot water as needed to prevent scorching the bottom of the pot.
• Serve tamales with salsa verde.

CONCH TAMALES WITH JALAPEñO-CHEESE PESTO

Steps:

• To prepare the pesto, heat the olive oil in a sauté pan or skillet and sauté the onion, garlic, and jalapenos over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the turmeric, stir well, and sauté for another 2 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to a food processor, add the queso blanco, and pulse until smooth. Refrigerate.
• To prepare the sofrito, heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan or skillet. Add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic, and sauté over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the tomato paste and remove the pan from the heat.
• Place the corn kernels in a large mixing bowl and stir in the sofrito mixture. Add the cornmeal and cornstarch and mix well. Place small batches of the corn mixture into a food processor or blender and purée until smooth.
• Return the purée to the mixing bowl and add the sugar and salt. With a wooden spoon, fold in the ground conch.
• Lay 2 of the reserved corn husks end to end. Place 1/2 cup of the conch filling in a cylinder shape in the middle of the husks. Roll up the husks and tie each end with butcher's twine. Repeat for the remaining tamales.
• Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a boil. Add the tamales, lower the heat, and keep at a gentle boil for 1 hour. Drain, and let the tamales cool slightly. Cut the square of cheese into a star (or other) shape and set it on a serving plate. Set the warm tamales, still in their leaves, on the cheese. Place the chilled pesto on the side, garnish with the parsley and olives, and serve.

TAMALES WITH JALAPEñOS, CHEESE, AND CORN

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the tamale dough and keep it at room temperature. Soak the corn husks in hot tap water for 2 hours. 2. Remove the corn husks from the water and put on a plate. Cover with a clean damp kitchen towel to keep moist. Put 1 husk on a flat surface. Put about 3 tablespoons dough in the center of the husk and spread into a 1/4-inch-thick rectangle to within 1 inch of the wide end and about 3 inches from the pointed end. Put about 1 teaspoon corn kernels on the dough and press them into the dough. Add 2 to 3 strips of chile, and 1 teaspoon cheese. Overlap the sides of the husk over the filling. Fold the pointed end toward the wide end and put on a plate, folded side down. Repeat with the remaining husks and filling. 3. Put about 3 inches of water into a large steamer and drop in a coin. (A rattling coin means there's still water in the pot.) Line the steamer rack with extra corn husks. Arrange the tamales folded ends down on the husks. Cover with more corn husks or aluminum foil. Tuck a kitchen towel on top and put on the lid. Bring to a boil. Steam the tamales 1 hour or until the dough is firm and the husk pulls away from the dough. Do not let the steamer boil dry. If the coin stops rattling, very cautiously add hot water. Serve the tamales with fresh tomato salsa to be added at the table. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

VEGETARIAN TAMALES

Steps:

• In a food processor blend corn and cheese until corn is in nearly a meal consistency.
• Add butter, Masa flour, salt, sugar, pepper and baking powder and process until the mixture is loosely mixed.
• Add broth and mix until just smooth.
• Place about 2 tbsp of mixture into soaked corn husk or parchment paper.
• Fill with some cheese, slices of roasted chili pepper and tomatoes.
• Close parchment paper or corn husk around filling, trying to cover filling with Masa flour mixture. If you have trouble closing or have too much filling try using less in your subsequent tamales.
• Roll wrapper closed, roll and fold over ends and set aside.
• Once they're done they can be refrigerated or frozen, or placed immediately in steaming tray above boiling water for about 30 minutes, or until Masa flour mixture is set.

POBLANO AND CHEESE TAMALES (TAMALES DE RAJAS CON QUESO)

Steps:

• Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
• Line a heavy cast iron grill pan or griddle with aluminum foil and place over high heat. Arrange poblano peppers in a single layer on top. Grill until chiles are blackened, turning as necessary, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer into a resealable plastic bag and let them steam, 10 to 15 minutes. Peel off skin, seed, and cut them into strips.
• Place tomatillos in a pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil and cook until they change color, about 5 minutes. Drain and place in a blender. Blend until smooth.
• Heat 1 tablespoon lard in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add blended tomatillos and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until flavors are well combined, about 5 minutes. Add poblano peppers and cilantro and boil for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool, about 10 minutes.
• Beat remaining lard in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add salt and continue beating for a few minutes. Add masa harina and baking powder and beat well until combined. Add chicken broth, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough has a smooth and workable consistency that is not too wet, similar to cookie dough. Test if the masa is ready by dropping a small ball of masa into a glass of cold water; if it floats, it's ready, if not, keep working the dough a little longer.
• Select 1 wide corn husk or 2 small ones. Spread about 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the corn husk, filling it up to 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Add 1 tablespoon of the tomatillo sauce and a piece of Monterey Jack cheese in the center of the masa mixture. Fold sides of husk together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the 2 folded sides. Repeat with remaining husks.
• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up and cook until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Let tamales rest for 15 minutes before serving.

CHEESE WITH ROASTED CHILE TAMALES

Steps:

• MAKE TAMALE MASA:, Place 1 pound of lard in a large stand mixer with a flat beater and mix until fluffy; scraping sides so the lard stays in the center of the mixing bowl. Add half the baking powder and half the salt and mix all together., Add half the masa and mix together. Slowly add half the broth to the masa and mix until combined. The mixture should be about the consistency of smooth peanut butter. If not, add more broth as necessary. Test the masa by taking a small piece (1/2 teaspoon) and dropping it into a cup of warm water. If it floats, it is ready. If it sinks, add a little more lard, beat for another minute, and test again. Repeat this process until the masa floats. Pour the masa mixture into a bigger bowl. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients., Cover the masa and set aside while you prepare filling., For filling, heat olive oil, add flour and stir for 3 minutes. Add diced green chiles and garlic powder and stir for 5 minutes., Add suero, salt, and ½ cup of shredded cheese, and simmer for 7 minutes, stirring until cheese melts and mixture thickens. Let mixture cool before filling tamales., PREPARE OJAS (CORN HUSKS):, Soak corn husks in water for an hour before using, rinse well with running water to take off any dust or corn husk fibers. To keep corn husks pliable and easy to work with, keep in water while filling tamales. Place a handful of wet corn husks in a colander to drain before using., SPREAD MASA:, Place the wide end of the husk on the palm of your hand. The narrow end is at the top. Starting at the middle of the husk, with the back of a spoon, spread 2 tablespoons of the masa in a rectangle or oval shape, using a downward motion towards the wide-bottom edge. Do not spread the masa to the ends; leave about a 2-inch border on the left and right sides of the husk., FILL CORN HUSKS:, Spoon 1½ tablespoons of filling down the center of the masa, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cheese. Fold both sides to the center; finish off by bringing the pointed end of the husk toward the filled end. Make sure it's a snug closure so the tamale will not open during steaming. Secure by tying a thin strip of corn husk around the tamale. This will keep the tamale from unwrapping during the steaming process, especially if the husk is too thick and will not stay folded., STEAM TAMALES:, Use a deep pot or tamale steamer to steam tamales. If using a tamale steamer, fill with water up to the fill line. Set the tamale rack over the water. Place tamales upright with fold against the sides of the other tamales to keep them from unfolding. Cover pot with a tight fitting lid. Set heat on high and bring to a boil, about 15 minutes. Lower heat and simmer for 2½ to 3 hours. Keep lid on tightly. To test if done, place one tamale on a plate and take off the corn husk. If it comes off without sticking to the tamale, they're done.

FOUR CHEESE STUFFED JALAPENOS

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add jalapeno peppers, cover, and steam until slightly tender, about 5 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Mix cream cheese with Parmesan, Cheddar, and feta cheeses, garlic, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder in a bowl.
• Arrange jalapeno peppers on prepared baking sheet. Spoon cheese mixture into each pepper.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 10 minutes.