Recipe - Basic Tamales

24 Dried corn husks
1 cup Lard
1 teaspoon Salt
2 One half cup Masa harina mix
1 One half cup Warm pork or poultry broth
filling (turkey in green
mole sauce or pork in red
tomato saucesee recipes)

This is a simplified recipe for tamales but they still should have a fairly
authentic taste.

To soak corn husks, cover with warm water; weigh down. Let soak at least 3
hours or overnight.

For tamale dough: Beat lard and salt until fluffy. Slowly beat in masa
harina mix alternately with broth until very light and fluffy.

To assemble tamales: Drain corn husks, pat dry. Spread 2 tablespoons dough
on center of husks forming a 3 x 2inch rectangle and spreading copletely
to right edge.

Spoon 1 tablespoon filling lengthwise down center of rectangle. For
fillings, see recipes "Turkey in green mole sauce" or "Pork in red tomato
sauce".

To enclose tamales, turn right side over to center of filling; fold left
side over filling, allowing plain part of husk to wrap around filling. Fold
top end down over bottom end. Secure ends by tying a string around center
of tamale.

To steam tamales, place a rack 2 inches above gently boiling water in
steamer or 4quart dutch oven. Stack tamales, folded side down, on rack.
Cover, steam about 2 hours or until done. To test for doneness, remove one
tamale from center and one from side of steamer. Open husks; tamales
should be firm and come away easily from husk. Makes 24.

ARIELLE@TARONGA.COM

(STEPHANIE DA SILVA)

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