Best Sweet Cajeta Tamales Instant Pot Recipes

INSTANT POT® TAMALES

Steps:

• Place 20 dried husks in a large Dutch oven and cover with water. Place a plate or bowl filled with water on top of husks to keep submerged. Let soak for at least 3 hours (or up to 24 hours), flipping occasionally until husks are softened.
• Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Combine 2 cups water, onion, garlic, chili powder, salt, chipotle powder, and cumin in a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®). Cut pork shoulder into 4 equal pieces and add to the pot. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 60 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
• While the filling is cooking, prepare the sauce: Split chile peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces (there is no need to cut the de arbol chiles.) Place chiles, 2 cups chicken stock, tomatoes, and garlic cloves in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are fully softened, about 30 minutes.
• Carefully pour the sauce mixture into a blender. Secure the lid and remove the center piece to allow steam to escape. Place a clean towel over the opening and process on high speed until completely smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Carefully transfer blended hot mixture back to the saucepan. Stir in remaining 1 cup chicken stock, cumin, salt, and onion powder. Return mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened and color is a deeper red, about 30 minutes.
• When the filling has finished cooking, release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions for 10 minutes, then use the quick-release method to release remaining pressure, 1 to 2 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.
• Remove pork to a shallow baking dish. Discard any fat and shred meat using 2 forks. Place shredded meat in a bowl.
• Strain cooking liquid through a fine mesh strainer and discard solids. Skim as much grease as possible from the liquid. Reserve 1 cup strained cooking liquid for cooking the masa and discard any remaining.
• Combine masa, 2 teaspoons salt, and baking powder for masa mixture in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on low speed until completely combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium and gradually add melted, warm lard alternately with 1 cup reserved, warm cooking liquid and 2 cups warm water; beat until dough is completely combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until dough is light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes. The dough should resemble a loose cookie dough; adjust by adding 1 tablespoon warm water at a time, if needed.
• Stir 1 cup sauce and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt into the shredded meat; set filling aside. Set remaining sauce aside for serving.
• Drain husks and cover with a damp paper towel. As you prepare the tamales, make sure they are not longer than 4 to 5 inches in order to fit in the pressure cooker with the lid closed.
• Place one damp husk on a work surface with the pointed end facing you (it will make a capital "V" shape.) Spoon 1/4 cup masa mixture onto the husk. Using damp fingers and starting near the top of the husk, press mixture into a 4-inch square; leave 1 inch clear at the top of the husk, and 3 to 4 inches clear at the bottom. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of filling in a vertical line down the center of the masa. Grab both sides of the husk and bring them together until they meet and are touching. Pull the left side of the husk away, and wrap the right side over the masa mixture. Take the left side and wrap it tightly over the right side, completely enclosing the filling. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam and tie with a strip of corn husk, if desired. Repeat to make remaining tamales.
• Stand tamales up vertically with the open side up in the steamer basket of the Instant Pot®. Place the trivet in the cooker and add 2 cups tap water. Place steamer basket on the trivet, and close and lock the lid. Select high pressure and set timer for 20 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions for 10 minutes, then use the quick-release method to release remaining pressure, 1 to 2 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.
• Let tamales rest in the cooker for 10 minutes before serving.
• Meanwhile, warm the remaining sauce to serve with tamales.

SWEET TAMALES

Steps:

• Prep the corn husks: Add the corn husks to a large bowl or pot. Pour enough hot water over the corn husks to cover them completely. Cover the bowl with aluminum foil and let them soak for 1 hour to soften them up. Meanwhile, rehydrate the raisins and make the sweet tamale dough.
• Rehydrate the raisins: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add raisins and cover completely with water. Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring after every minute. Remove from microwave, cover with aluminum foil or a plate and let sit for 15 minutes. Drain and discard the water. Set rehydrated raisins aside.
• Mix the masa harina: In a large mixing bowl, add masa harina, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon and salt. Mix together to combine.
• Add the oil: Add canola oil and mix together with your hands, working the dough through your fingers until everything is well combined and incorporated. The dough should feel a little crumbly, almost like wet sand, and should lightly hold its shape when pressed together.
• Add the rehydrated raisins: Add 3 cups warm water and rehydrated raisins. Mix together with a spoon until fully combined.
• Finish prepping the corn husks: Drain the water from the corn husks and pat them dry. Lay them flat onto a baking sheet for easy access.
• Fill the corn husks: Grab a corn husk and identify which is the smooth side and which is the side with ridges. Place the smooth side face up into your palm or on a plate. Using a large spoon, scoop a big spoonful of the sweet tamale dough into the middle of the softened corn husks and close - no need to spread it out since all the filling is already mixed in!
• Fold: Fold together the long edges of the corn husk like a book, and then fold it once more. Fold the pointy edge over so that only one side of the corn husk is open and exposed, and secure the folded edge with thin strip of corn husk by tied a knot around the tamale. If you don't want to go to the trouble of tying a knot around each tamale, you don't have to.
• Prepare the steamer pot: Fill the bottom of the steamer pot with water and cover with the steamer insert. Place the sweet tamales in the steamer with the open end facing up, making sure to lean them against the side of the pot so they don't fall down.
• Steam: Cover tightly with the lid and place steamer over medium-high heat. Bring the water in the steamer pot to a boil (you should be able to hear it bubbling), then reduce the heat to low. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the masa is fully cooked. To check and see if it's cooked, carefully remove a tamale and open it up. The masa should easily separate from the corn husks and it should be fairly firm. When ready to eat, remove tamales from steamer, let sit for 3 minutes to cool, then serve.