Best Blue Corn Mutton Tamales Recipes

ALL-BEEF TAMALES

Steps:

• For the filling: In a medium pot set over medium heat, add the ground beef, 2 teaspoons of the garlic salt, 1 tablespoon of the salt and the cayenne and then add enough water to cover the mixture, about 4 cups. Bring to a simmer and cook until the meat is cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Strain the meat and reserve the cooking liquid for a later use.
• In a food processor, process the meat to a medium-fine consistency and add the remaining 1 tablespoon garlic salt, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, the kidney fat, garlic, onion and cumin. Mix well, cover and refrigerate until cool, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• For the cornmeal mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, chili seasoning, kidney fat, onion and garlic, and mix well. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved beef liquid and, using your hands, mix to incorporate all the ingredients. Continue to add more liquid until the mixture can be pressed into a ball in your hand and will hold its shape even when tossed around lightly, about 1/4 cup. Cover and place the cornmeal mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• After the meat mixture and cornmeal mixture have cooled, run both mixtures through the food processor separately to achieve smooth and uniform textures to build the tamales.
• Dip the tamale wrappers in water or soak the cornhusks in hot water to soften. Lay the wrappers flat on the work surface. Scoop about 3 tablespoons of the chilled cornmeal mixture and form it into a boat about 4-inches long and 1 1/2-inches wide. Fill the center of the cornmeal boat with 2 teaspoons of the meat mixture and then pinch the cornmeal to cover and seal in the ends. Repeat for the remaining cornmeal and beef, making 18 to 25 tamales total. Roll the tamales in the wrappers, folding over one end and leaving the other end open.
• Fold the open end over and tie three tamales into a bundle; repeat for the remaining tamales. Refrigerate the tamales for 2 hours before cooking.
• For the boil mixture: Add 8 cups water, the salt, cumin, cayenne and garlic powder to a pot and bring to a simmer.
• Place the tamales in a separate pot with the open ends facing up. The tamales should be tightly packed so they all stand upright. Pour the simmering boil mixture over the tamales.
• Cover and cook for 3 hours over medium heat.
• Remove from the heat and set aside for 30 minutes.
• Add enough water to cover the tamales and cook for 1 more hour.
• Remove the tamales from the pot and unwrap. Serve warm with chili.

EASY CORN TAMALES

Steps:

• Working in batches, add the corn kernels to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until pale. Add the egg, salt, and baking powder. Mix to incorporate. Add the flour and pureed corn and mix until blended and forms a loose smooth dough.
• Put a corn husk lengthwise in front of you with the wide side closest to you. Spread 3 tablespoons of the dough all over the bottom half (wide side) of the corn husk, leaving about a 1-inch-wide border on the left and right sides. Pick up the 2 long sides of the corn husk and bring them together. Roll both sides of the corn husks in the same direction over the filling.
• Repeat with remaining corn husks and dough. Arrange the tamales, seam side down, in a steamer and add 1/2-inch of water. Cover with a tight fitting lid, bring to a simmer and steam for 1 hour, adding additional water, as needed to maintain 1/2-inch of water in the pan. Remove the tamales from the steamer to a serving platter and serve.

MARK BITTMAN'S TAMALES

Steps:

• Soak husks in warm water for at least 3 hours or overnight. Drain, separate the husks, then continue soaking.
• Put the masa harina in a bowl, and add stock a little at a time until the mixture is crumbly.
• With a mixer, beat the lard, salt and baking powder until light. Add the masa mixture, and continue to beat until the dough is fluffy, adding more stock if needed. The mixture is ready when a small ball of it floats in water.
• Drain a husk, and pat dry. Spread 2 tablespoons of the masa dough in the center of the husk, then wet your fingers and pat into a 4-inch-by-3-inch rectangle along the right edge of the husk, leaving at least 2 inches on each side. Put 1 tablespoon of the shredded meat lengthwise down the center of the dough rectangle. Wrap by folding the rectangle in half and bringing the right side of the dough over the filling. Continue rolling tightly to the end of the husk, then secure one open end with string or strips of corn husk. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• Prepare a large steamer by setting a steamer rack about 2 inches above gently boiling water. Stack the tamales, seam down, on the rack. Cover, and steam until the filling is firm and comes away easily from the husk, about 45 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.