BASIC MEXICAN TAMALE DOUGH
A light and flavorful dough to make the best tamales. [Photographs: Joshua Bousel] This master dough recipe for Mexican tamales starts with either fresh masa (the nixtamalized corn dough used to make tamales and tortillas) from a tortilleria or masa harina (nixtamailzed corn flour that's reconstituted with water or stock). Then lard, baking powder, and chicken stock are beaten into it to create a light, tender, and flavorful tamale that can be stuffed with your favorite filling, like green chili and pork, rajas and queso, or red chili with chicken. A master recipe for a classic Mexican dough. Why This Recipe Works * Back lard adds a mild porky flavor. * Beating the dough until light and airy creates the most tender tamale. * Resting the masa for an hour allows for better hydration and lighter tamales. Notes: Fresh masa can be purchased at local tortillerias, if you are lucky enough to live near one. If not, masa harina, such as Maseca para Tamales (available at most well stocked supermarkets) can be used. Pork back lard is preferable for its mild pork flavor, although more neutral tasting leaf lard or vegetable shortening can be substituted.
Provided by @MakeItYours
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- 1 Combine lard, salt, and baking powder and, using an electric mixer, beat at medium-high speed until well whipped, about 1 minute.
- Add one-fourth of the masa at a time to the lard, beating between additions until thoroughly incorporated. Add chicken stock and continue beating until dough is light and has a soft and spreadable hummus-like texture. Cover masa with plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Remove masa from refrigerator and re-whip, adding additional chicken stock 1 tablespoon at a time, if necessary, to return it to original hummus-like texture. Use tamale dough in any tamale recipe (see links above for ideas, assembly, and cooking instructions).
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