Vegetarian Tamales With Spinach Corn And Cheese Filling Recipes

VEGETARIAN TAMALES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the cornhusks in a large pot and completely cover them with hot water. Soak the cornhusks for 30 minutes to an hour until they soften and are pliable.
• In a medium bowl, mix the cornmeal with a pinch of salt and 1 1/2 cups of vegetable stock.
• Add the vegetable shortening and work the fat into the mixture with your fingers. Add more vegetable stock in small amounts, kneading after each addition, until you have a smooth, soft dough. The dough should be moist and a little sticky, not stiff.
• Add the vegetable oil to a heavy skillet and saute the tomatoes, green onions, cumin and sugar over medium heat. Cook until most of the water is evaporated and the vegetables are soft and fragrant, taking about 10 minutes.
• Cut corn kernels off the ears of corn and stir into the vegetable mixture. Saute 2 more minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro leaves and the aji amarillo paste, if desired.
• Drain the corn husks and spread them out flat.
• Place about 3 tablespoons of masa harina dough in the middle of each corn husk. Use your fingers to press the dough into a 2- by 3 1/2-inch rectangle.
• Top the dough with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the corn and tomato mixture and a few crumbles of the queso fresco. Place another 2 tablespoons of masa dough on top.
• Fold the sides of the cornhusks in over the filling, then turn the pointed ends up to the middle, then fold the top flap down, making a little package (for the best outcome make sure you know the proper way to wrap a tamale ).
• Tie the tamales with a strand of cornhusk or twine to secure the husks around the filling.
• To make larger tamales, you can overlap 2 cornhusks and use them together to wrap the tamale.
• Bring 1 to 2 inches of water to boil in a steamer pot or a large pot with a colander or steaming basket set into it.
• Fill the colander or basket with one layer of tamales; you might have to steam them in batches. The tamales should be above the waterline. They are cooked only by the steam.
• Cover the tamales with a dish towel and the pot lid and steam them for 30 to 40 minutes; add water to the pot when necessary.
• Remove tamales and serve warm.

SPINACH, CHEESE & ROASTED PEPPER TAMALES

Steps:

• 1. Place corn husks in hot water and let stand for 15 minutes to soften; remove and blot off excess water
• 2. Stir together masa, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add spread and mix again. Using an electric mixer beat in enough stock/broth to form a soft dough. Stir in remaining ingredients
• 3. Place equal amounts of mixture on center of each corn husk. Fold in the sides, then the bottom. Place in a steamer basket folded sides down. Cover and cook over medium-low heat 45 minutes to an hour. Best if served immediately with desired toppings

SPINACH-CORN TAMALES

Steps:

• Soak corn husks in hot water 30 min. Meanwhile, beat next 4 ingredients in large bowl with mixer on low speed until blended. Gradually add warm water, beating after each addition until light and fluffy. Combine vegetables and cheese.
• Drain corn husks. Spread about 1/3 cup masa dough into 4x3-inch rectangle down center of each of 12 husks, leaving about 2 inches at top of husk. Top each with 1/3 cup spinach mixture. Fold over both sides and 1 end of each husk to enclose filling.
• Pour 3 cups water into tamalera pot or 8-qt. stockpot fitted with steamer basket. Line bottom of basket with some of the remaining corn husks. Place tamales, open-ends up, in tamalera; cover with remaining husks or damp kitchen towel. Cover with lid. Bring water to boil on medium-high heat; simmer on medium-low heat 1 hour or until tamales pull away from husks, adding more boiling water to pan and adjusting heat as necessary to maintain a gentle boil.

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.