Best Fresh Corn Tamales In The Mayan Style Recipes

NEW CORN-STUFFED TAMALES (TAMALE DE ELOTE) -- MAYAN

Steps:

• Masa harina: This is cornmeal that has been prepared with lime or wood-ash lye water. It's different from ordinary cornmeal, cooks up softer, absorbs lots of fat during its cooking, holds together better in tortillas, etc. It's available from Mexican food stores.
• To roast the fresh corn: just put them (in their husks) in a 400 degree oven for 5 minutes. Husks and silk will peel off easily. Then scrape off kernels, standing cob in a big frypan to catch them. Depending on the ears, it will take 2-4 ears to make 1 1/2 cups of kernels.
• Cornhusk tamale wrappers: The ones you just prepared are probably dried out and frizzeled. If you've saved and dried husks, steep them in boiling water to cover (poured over them, not cooked) while roasting and scraping the corn. Otherwise, you'll have to use foil wrappers.
• Simmer milk and corn for about 10 minutes. Strain the corn, reserve the milk, and puree 1/2 cup of the kernels with this milk, reserving the rest for putting in the tamale dough. Add the puree to the masa, mix vigorously with spoon and whisk. In a separate large bowl, whip the soft butter, baking powder, and salt together until very fluffy. Start adding the masa mixture about 1/4 cup (guesstimated) at a time whisking and beating vigorously after each dough addition. Spend 15 minuts at least beating the masa mix into the butter. Fold in the green chile, the remaining cup of corn kernels, and grated cheese.
• Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about 4 Tbsp each. Pat each piece into a rectangle on a trimmed cornhusk to form a square or rectangle, leaving a husk border at the edges of the tamale at least 1 inch. Now fold up the rectangle along the length of the cornhusks and pinch it into a roll, loosely. Roll the husk up completely around the dough roll. Tie the ends with strips of cornhusk (traditional), or string (easier). The wrapping shouldn't be totally tight, so steam can get inches Place the wrapped tamales seam-side down on the rack of any kind of steamer (wok with a rack and tight cover will do, I use big enameled cast-iron frypan with tight lid). Tamales shouldn't touch the boiling water. Steam for 30 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve (diners unwrap their own) with any kind of hot tomato or other type of sauce. Those celebrating New Corn eat it without sauce, but fat or butter is sometimes available.

EL CHOLO'S GREEN CORN TAMALES

Steps:

• Cut both ends of corn, remove husks and save for wrapping. Cut corn kernels off the cob. In a food processor, grind the kernels with the cornmeal.
• Beat shortening and butter together until creamy. Add the sugar, half-and-half and salt. Add the corn mixture and mix well.
• For each tamale, overlap 2 corn husks. Spread some of the corn mixture onto the husks. Place 1 cheese strip and 1 chile strip on top of the mixture. Top with more corn masa. Bring the edges of the corn husks over the filling to cover completely. Place the husk on a piece of square parchment paper. Fold ends of corn husks, then fold sides of parchment over tamale and fold up ends. Tie string around ends to hold in place. Continue until all tamales are tied. Place on a rack and steam approximately 35 to 45 minutes.

CREAMED CORN TAMALES

Steps:

• Soak the corn husks in a bowl of hot water until pliable, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the dough: Combine the masa harina and sugar in a large bowl. Stir in the corn and 1/2 cup hot water until combined. Add the butter and mix with your hands until evenly distributed.
• Remove the corn husks from the water and shake dry. Unfold the husks on a clean surface (discard any small husks or husks with holes). Put about 1/4 cup dough down the center of a husk; fold in the long sides to enclose the filling, then fold in the top and bottom to make a packet. Secure with kitchen twine. Repeat with the remaining dough and husks.
• Set up a steamer basket in a large pot filled with 2 inches of water. Arrange the tamales standing up in the steamer and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and cook until the tamales are firm, about 1 hour. Remove from the steamer and let rest 10 minutes before unwrapping.

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.

HALIBUT AND SWEET CORN TAMALES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375.
• Lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Carefully remove husks from corn, reserving the 4 largest ones.
• Cut the corn kernels off of their ears.
• Blend lightly in a food processor or blender until just coarsely chopped, be sure not to puree!
• Add cilantro, cornmeal, sugar, and salt, then pule once or twice just to mix.
• Season with fresh ground black pepper.
• Stir in fintely chopped red bell pepper.
• Arrange 2 corn husks on a square of foil large enough to hold a tamale.
• Spread 1/4 of corn mixture (approx the same size as the halibut fillets you are using) over both husks on foil.
• Season halibut on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Place halibuts on top of corn mixtures on tamales.
• Top halibuts with another 1/4 of the corn mixture.
• Pull ends of bottom husks over halibuts and top with remaining husks.
• Tuck ends of top husks under bottom husks.
• Fold around tamales into small packets.
• Bake until halibuts are just cooked through, about 20 minutes.