Venezuelan Tamales Recipes

VENEZUELAN TAMALES

Steps:

• Add broth gradually to cornmeal in large bowl, stirring constantly until mixture forms soft dough. Knead in oil until well blended. (Dough will be light yellow-orange in color.) Cover with clean, damp kitchen towel; set aside.
• Cook tomatoes, dressing and capers in medium saucepan on medium heat 5 min., stirring frequently. Add chicken and pork; cook 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
• Spoon 1/4 cup dough onto center of 1 banana leaf; spread into 5x3-inch rectangle. Top with 1/3 cup meat mixture, 1 onion slice, 1/2 tsp. nuts, 1 Tbsp. bacon, 2 olives and 1 pepper strip; set aside. Spoon 1/4 cup of the remaining dough onto center of second banana leaf; spread into 6x4-inch rectangle. Carefully place second banana leaf, dough-side down, over filling on first banana leaf; press together gently. Fold over lengthwise sides of leaves, then fold over both remaining sides to completely enclose filling. Tie closed with kitchen twine. Repeat to make 12 tamales.
• Pour 2 cups water into 8-qt. stockpot fitted with steamer basket. (Or, use a tamalera pot.) Line bottom of basket with remaining banana leaves; top with tamales. Cover with lid. Bring water to boil on medium-high heat. Steam on medium-low heat 1 hour or until tamales pull away from banana leaves, adding more boiling water to pan when necessary. Remove from steamer; cool slightly.

HALLACAS GUAJIRAS DE POLLO (CHICKEN TAMALES)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine chicken, onion, garlic, chopped red and green peppers, green onions, cumin, sazon, salt and water; bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and cook until the chicken is very tender, about an hour (most of the water will have cooked out).
• Let cool a bit, then shred chicken, discarding bones and skin.
• Place chicken back in the sauce pan and add in the peas and carrots, green beans, capers, minced red bell pepper, and raisins.
• Meanwhile, prepare the alinos by placing all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and processing to form a paste; you will only use 1/2 cup of this, but the rest can be stored in the refrigerator for a week or frozen for longer storage (it is fantastic in rice, soups, or stews).
• Now place the masarepa in a large bowl; add water, salt, 1/2 cup of the alinos, and achiote oil.
• Mix with your hands until smooth.
• To assemble: On a clean work surface, place a banana leaf, then place another one perpendicular to sort of form a cross.
• Spread out about 5 tablespoons (not rounded) in the center and top with 3 tablespoons of the filling.
• Make a package by folding up the inner banana leaf, then the other; tie with kitchen string.
• Repeat with remaining masa and filling.
• Place water under the steamer basket, bring to a boil, reduce heat and steam, covered, until the masa is tender and cooked through, about 45 minutes.