Beef Tamales

These are just like the tamales my Abuelita used to make for special occasions. This recipe makes a lot, but if you’re going to go to all the trouble of making tamales from scratch, you might as well have a party! You will need butchers' twine and a large pot with a steamer basket to make these. May be frozen up to 6 months in heavy-duty resealable plastic bags. To reheat, thaw in refrigerator and then steam or microwave until heated through.

Step: 1

Place beef and garlic in a large pot. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat. As soon as water boils, reduce heat to a simmer and cover pot. Let simmer for 3 1/2 hours, until beef is tender and shreds easily. When beef is done, remove from pot, reserving 5 cups cooking liquid and discarding garlic. Allow meat to cool slightly, and shred finely with forks.

Step: 2

Meanwhile, place corn husks in a large container and cover with warm water. Allow to soak for 3 hours, until soft and pliable. May need to weight down with an inverted plate and a heavy can.

Step: 3

Toast ancho chiles in a cast iron skillet, making sure not to burn them. Allow to cool and then remove stems and seeds. Crumble and grind in a clean coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle.

Step: 4

Heat oil in a large skillet. Mix in flour and allow to brown slightly. Pour in 1 cup beef broth and stir until smooth. Mix in ground chiles, cumin seeds, ground cumin, minced garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, vinegar and salt. Stir shredded beef into skillet and cover. Let simmer 45 minutes.

Step: 5

Place lard and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whip with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy. Add

Step: 6

and beat at low speed until well mixed. Pour in reserved cooking liquid a little at a time until mixture is the consistency of soft cookie dough.

Step: 7

Drain water from corn husks. One at a time, flatten out each husk, with the narrow end facing you, and spread approximately 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the top 2/3 of the husk. Spread about 1 tablespoon of meat mixture down the middle of the masa. Roll up the corn husk starting at one of the long sides. Fold the narrow end of the husk onto the rolled tamale and tie with a piece of butchers' twine.

Step: 8

Place tamales in a steamer basket. Steam over boiling water for approximately one hour, until masa is firm and holds its shape. Make sure steamer does not run out of water. Serve immediately, allowing each person to unwrap their own tamales. Allow any leftovers (still in husks) to cool, uncovered, in the refrigerator.

Per Serving: 347 calories; protein 9.1g; carbohydrates 23.3g; fat 24.4g; cholesterol 38mg; sodium 247.6mg.

Prepare your food in advance can be extremely enjoyable when you do it with your favorite music in the background , a relaxing beverage of choice or even a partner. It is helpful to write every step you fell right to create the food , which may include all of it from your tools and utensils to your processing menu . Make sure to list the ingredients in order , so as not to forget one . A handwritten list is typically best.

Having the right cooking tools is just as one most required as having the right ingredients . This includes everything from pots, pans, bowls and utensils to those core of items that are easy to forget, such as parchment paper and foil. goods like crunch bottles for adding the perfect drizzle or sprinkle items to your main food and long tweezers to range smaller and thinner dish are a likely for all of home chef.