Beef Tamales

Serves: 6

Gideon Batz

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

52

Spice

45

Sweetness

49

Sourness

40

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2 cloves

Garlic (minced)

2 tbsps

Vegetable Oil

1 cup

Beef Broth

1 tsp

Cumin Seed

1 tsp

Ground Cumin

1 tbsp

Salt

3 cups

Lard

Directions:

1

Place beef and garlic in a large pot

2

Cover with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat

3

As soon as water boils, reduce heat to a simmer and cover pot

4

Let simmer for 3 1/2 hours, until beef is tender and shreds easily

5

When beef is done, remove from pot, reserving 5 cups cooking liquid and discarding garlic

6

Allow meat to cool slightly, and shred finely with forks

7

Meanwhile, place corn husks in a large container and cover with warm water

8

Allow to soak for 3 hours, until soft and pliable

9

May need to weight down with an inverted plate and a heavy can

10

Toast ancho chiles in a cast iron skillet, making sure not to burn them

11

Allow to cool and then remove stems and seeds

12

Crumble and grind in a clean coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle

13

Heat oil in a large skillet

14

Mix in flour and allow to brown slightly

15

Pour in 1 cup beef broth and stir until smooth

16

Mix in ground chiles, cumin seeds, ground cumin, minced garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, vinegar and salt

17

Stir shredded beef into skillet and cover

18

Let simmer 45 minutes

19

Place lard and salt in a large mixing bowl

20

Whip with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy

21

Add masa harina and beat at low speed until well mixed

22

Pour in reserved cooking liquid a little at a time until mixture is the consistency of soft cookie dough

23

Drain water from corn husks

24

One at a time, flatten out each husk, with the narrow end facing you, and spread approximately 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the top 2/3 of the husk

25

Spread about 1 tablespoon of meat mixture down the middle of the masa

26

Roll up the corn husk starting at one of the long sides

27

Fold the narrow end of the husk onto the rolled tamale and tie with a piece of butchers' twine

28

Place tamales in a steamer basket

29

Steam over boiling water for approximately one hour, until masa is firm and holds its shape

30

Make sure steamer does not run out of water

31

Serve immediately, allowing each person to unwrap their own tamales

32

Allow any leftovers (still in husks) to cool, uncovered, in the refrigerator