Tamales

So, midnight on a Saturday night I decided to make tamales... as you do. 

I'd been thinking about it for a long time so I started gathering the equipment and ingredients and decided to go for it. A quick call to my dad for some guidance and 24 tamales later I was done. Little taquito sized ones... but never mind that, it's  my first attempt! I forgot how much work they are and I haven't even steamed them yet!

Fingers crossed they turn out well! I am saving the rest of the excitement for Sunday.

Tamales are one of my favorite foods.  Sounds like you have done an excellent job, when is the tamale party

Fingers crossed! 

I have a shop relatively near me which sells all the stuff i'd need to make them, but i've never been brave enough to tackle it.

Tamales are supposed to be a group effort!

Yes, tamales are supposed to be a group effort, unfortunately the only people awake to indulge my whim were in California and this website http://www.sonofthesouth.net/tamales/ It has great step by step pictures. I didn't follow the recipe though.

The tamales have been steaming for 45 minutes now... my place smells yummy!!!

I think the trick of making tamales is the right equipment/ingredients (or lots improvision like I do!) and the time and patience. I like putting stuff together so it was a fun process.

OMG you evil evil person .......... I LOVE LOVE tamales..........

The last time I got my fix was in 2004 and I went back home..we went down to Dallas and visited one of my best friends from high school and she had married a Mexican lad...really nice guy..his mom made us dozens! of tamales and green tomato's and green chilie salsa....omg I ate until I was sick!


where did you get the corn husk to wrap them in? I would love to try and make some!

ps..........how did they turn out......were they yummy............

all in all pretty good!! I made the masa and meat spicy, mmm.

I did forget one key ingredient last night... shortening to the masa. nothing too major, just dense but cooked fine.

I will try it again.

I got the corn husk from Cool Chile... there is a stand at Borough Market in London and they sell the masa harina too.

yeahhh cool chile

I thought about getting a tortilla press from them......i would like proper corn totillas.....

wish i'd saved my tortilla press for you...  a few years ago, i gave it to another expat, and she never even thanked me!! 

a few years ago, i gave it to another expat, and she never even thanked me!! 

unworthy! 

I have my mind set on getting one when i go back home at the end of the year.

wish i'd saved my tortilla press for you...  a few years ago, i gave it to another expat, and she never even thanked me!! 

aw bummer!!!!!!!!!!