Blue Corn Masa Food

BLUE CORN MASA

Steps:

• First of all, make sure that the corn is clean of any debris or little rocks. Place corn in a colander under the water faucet and rinse. Shake a little to remove any excess water.
• Place corn into a non-corrosive pot. Add enough water to cover the corn. Some kernels will float, those are old or spoil kernels, discharge them.
• Dissolve 2 Tablespoons of Cal (Calcium Hydroxide) in 1/2 cup of water. Stir well.
• Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium high. When the water starts boiling, add the Cal and water mix. The corn will turn a bright yellow color.
• Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. After 15 minutes, check the corn and rub a few grains between your fingers. If you see a fine skin peeling from them, then they're ready. Turn down the heat and remove from stove. If after 15 minutes your corn skins are not peeling, keep cooking for 5 more minutes and check again.
• Cover the pot with a lid and let it rest overnight or for at least 8 hours.
• The next day, the corn and its residue will be settling at the bottom of the pot, and the skins will be easily removed when rubbing some kernels with your fingers.
• Remove the liquid, reserving some of it to add to the grinding process.(also known as "nejayote") and rinse the corn two or three times, rubbing off the loose skin, until the water looks clean. Place in a colander to drain well.
• The corn is now ready for the grinder. Start grinding the corn in small batches twice or three times until it has a fine texture. The picture at the bottom right is how it will look after the first grinding. The corn grinder has to be tightly fitted to a stable surface to make this step as fast and smooth as possible. The corn grinder was meant to be screwed up to a working area where it will always reside.
• After you've ground the corn 2 times, add some of the cooking water little by little to form the dough-masa. Knead a little until your dough is smooth. This dough will still be grainy, but good enough to make tortillas or any other food you plan to cook with it. Sometimes, I grind the corn and don't add water, then I place it in plastic bags to store in the freezer. When ready to use, just let it sit until room temperature and then add the water to form the dough. To extend the life of the masa add a pinch of cal while grinding the corn.
• (OPTIONAL). I know it will be hard for many to get a hold of a Metate, so this step is just in case you have one and want to have a finer texture in your masa dough. Place a small amount of the dough on the top part of the metate with the help of the "mano" (hand of the metate). Press down on the dough from side to side (from the top part to the bottom part), passing a small amount of dough to the other side every time you press it down. This is done in a rhythmical movement, with your hands holding tightly onto the metate hand and pressing back and fort until all the dough that was at the top now is at the bottom part of the metate. The difference of giving the final grinding to the corn dough with the metate can be seen in the picture below.

BLUE CORN MUTTON TAMALES

Steps:

• To make the filling, combine meat, garlic, onion, and coriander in a large pot. Add water to cover and bring to a simmer. Cook until tender, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Add red chili powder and salt, to taste. Gradually add white cornmeal and stir, until filling is about the same consistency as "runny oatmeal." Remove from the heat and let sit while you make the masa.
• Mix the cornmeal and baking powder in a large bowl. Add the water and oil and mix. Masa must be a bit thicker than a pancake batter. Add small amounts of additional water and blue corn meal to achieve needed consistency.
• To assemble, lay corn husk out flat. Place masa inside middle of corn husk about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. (depending upon amount of filling used). Leave outer edges uncovered about 1-inch on each side. Place filling in center of Masa and fold in each side. Next fold the bottom upward.
• Place tamale in 2nd corn husk and repeat with tamale in opposite direction of first husk.
• Fold and tie with small strips of corn husks. Place in boiling water for 60 to 90 minutes.

CORN MASA

Steps:

• Beat the lard until light and fluffy.
• Add remaining ingredients, using just enough liquid until the dough holds together well.