Chicken Chiles And Cheese Tamales Food

RED CHILE CHICKEN TAMALES

Steps:

• For the filling: Toast the chiles on both sides in a dry skillet over medium heat until pliable, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and cover with boiling water; let stand until soft, about 30 minutes.
• Reserve 1 cup of the soaking water and drain the rest. Puree the chiles, reserved soaking liquid, garlic, onion, oregano and cumin in a blender until smooth.
• Heat the oil in a medium skillet over high heat until hot. Add the chile puree and fry, stirring (be careful, the mixture may splatter), until very thick and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth and 1 teaspoon salt, then add the chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, partially covered, turning the chicken occasionally, until cooked through, about 35 minutes.
• Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Increase the heat to medium high and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Shred the chicken into small pieces and then coarsely chop. Transfer to a bowl and add enough of the sauce to coat it well; season with salt. Reserve the remaining sauce to serve on the side. Refrigerate both until ready to use.
• Soak the corn husks in a large bowl of hot water until pliable, about 1 hour. Fill a large pot with 1 inch of water and place a steamer insert inside.
• For the masa: Mix the masa harina with 2 cups of the chicken broth, kneading by hand to incorporate. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes.
• Beat the lard, baking powder and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the masa harina mixture in 2 batches and beat very well to combine. Add the remaining 3/4 cup chicken broth and beat until lightened and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Form a small ball of masa and see if it floats in a glass of water. If it does not, continue to beat the masa for a few minutes until the masa floats. Cover with plastic and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Assemble the tamales: Drain the corn husks and wring them dry.
• Lay a corn husk on a work surface, smoother side up, with the wide part of the husk closer to you. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of masa onto the bottom half of the husk and use an offset spatula to spread in a thin, even layer (leaving the top half of the husk bare). Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the chicken mixture onto the masa. Then roll the husk up to enclose the filling. Fold the narrow side of the tamale under and arrange the tamale, open-side up, in the steamer insert. Repeat with the remaining masa, husks and filling.
• Bring the water in the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot and steam until the masa is cooked through and separates easily from the husk, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Transfer to a platter and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
• Warm the reserved sauce and serve on the side.

ACHIOTE CHICKEN TAMALES

Steps:

• For the red chile sauce: Soak corn husks in hot water until pliable, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, boil garlic, guajillos, pasillas and onion in water until the vegetables soften, about 10 minutes. Blend the vegetables in a blender with 1 cup of the cooking liquid until smooth (see Cook's Note). Strain the mixture, discarding the seeds and pulp.
• Heat the canola oil in a saucepan over low heat, then add the flour and cook, whisking, until a roux has formed, a few minutes. Add the chile mixture, then season with salt, pepper and cumin. Cook for an additional 15 minutes. Set aside.
• For the achiote chicken thighs: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Mix achiote paste with 3 ounces olive oil by hand until a soft paste forms. Rub chicken thighs with the paste and place in a roasting pan. Bake until cooked through, 30 to 45 minutes.
• Chop the chicken into 1/4-inch cubes and mix well with 1 cup red chile sauce.
• For the tamales: Mix masa, baking powder, chicken stock and 1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil by hand until it is spreadable but still holds its shape.
• Spoon about 2 tablespoons masa into the center of the wider portion of the husks, then place 2 tablespoons achiote chicken in the center along with a piece of jack cheese.
• Roll up the husk, keeping the top open, and folding the narrower side over to seal the bottom.
• Place the tamales, open-end up, in a steamer basket and steam over a pot of boiling water, covered, for 1 hour.
• Let the tamales rest for 1 hour, then serve with additional red chile sauce.

GREEN CHILE AND CHICKEN TAMALES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Let the chicken cool and then use forks or your fingers to shred it.
• Add the shredded chicken and the diced chiles to a large bowl. Add the green chile sauce, queso fresco, sour cream, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Mix well and set aside.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Remove any debris or corn silk from the corn husks.
• Separate the larger whole husks from the smaller bits and pieces. Use the larger husks for wrapping and save the smaller ones for tying.
• Place the husks in a large bowl and cover with warm water. Put a plate, bowl, or heavy skillet on top of the husks to keep them submerged. Let soak until flexible and softened, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Remove the husks from the water and pat dry. Place in a covered dish or a large plastic bag to prevent them from drying out.
• Gather the ingredients.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the masa harina and warm water until combined.
• Let the mixture sit to let the masa soften, about 20 minutes. Mix on low speed, scraping down the bowl occasionally, until a dough forms.
• Gradually sprinkle in the onion powder, chili powder, cumin, and salt as you continue to mix.
• In a medium bowl, stir the lard until soft and light, about 3 minutes.
• Add the lard to the dough a little at a time while continuing to mix on low until well combined.
• The mixture should be the consistency of peanut butter. If not, add more masa harina, water or broth as necessary.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Use the larger husks for the tamales. Use the smaller or broken husks to create ties by cutting or tearing them into 1/4 inch-wide strips.
• When looking at the husks for wrapping, notice the shape. They have a narrow end, a broad end, and two long sides. Lay the husk on a flat surface with the narrow end at the bottom.
• Depending on the size of the husk, spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of dough on the husk placing it toward the top. Do not overfill.
• Use the back of a spoon to spread the dough onto the husk, leaving a border of about 4-inches from the narrow end and about 2- inches from the top.
• Spread the dough to the edge of one of the long sides, leaving a 2-inch border on the opposite long side. Try to keep the dough about 1/4-inch thick.
• Spread a couple of spoonfuls of filling down the center of the dough, leaving at least a 1-inch border of dough around all sides.
• Make a package by fold the long empty side (the side with no masa) over, slightly overlapping the opposite side so the edges of the dough meet. Wrap the extra husk around the back. Then fold the broad end over the top and then the longer narrow end over the broad end.
• Use the narrow strips to tie across the middle of the tamale to hold the flaps down.
• Set tamales upright in a tamale steamer, a large pot fitted with a strainer insert, or something similar. The key is to have a small amount of boiling water on the bottom of the pot and a strainer of some sort to keep the tamales from touching the water.
• Cover the pot and steam for about 90 minutes, or until the masa feels firm, looks smooth, and comes away from the husk cleanly (you can take one tamale out to test). Check the water level in the pot occasionally and replenish the water if needed. Let the tamales cool for 1 hour before taking them out of the steamer to allow the masa to firm up before serving.

CHICKEN TAMALES WITH ADOBO SAUCE

Steps:

• Pull 1/4-inch strings from reserved husks to wrap tamales or use twine; set aside. Cover corn husks (including pulled strings) with warm water and let stand until pliable, at least 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine all tamale dough ingredients, starting with 6 cups broth. Beat with electric mixer until well combined, adding chicken broth as needed to make soft dough.
• In blender, place all filling ingredients except oil and chicken. Cover; blend until smooth.
• In 3-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Stir in tomato mixture. Cook about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until hot. Stir in chicken; cook over medium-low heat about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens. Drain sauce from filling; reserve to serve over tamales, if desired.
• Drain corn husks; pat dry with paper towels. Place 3 level tablespoonfuls of dough on each corn husk; slightly spread out making indentation in center with back of spoon. Place about 1 tablespoon filling on center of dough and fold dough around filling. If husks are too small, overlap two corn husks. Fold bottom 1/3 of corn husk over filling; fold sides in towards center. Tie tops with corn husk strings.
• In two 5-quart stockpots or Dutch ovens, place round cooling racks. Pour boiling water almost to top of rack. (Water should not touch tamales.) Place tamales on rack. Stand tamales inside pots, leaning against sides all around. Cover; reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer gently about 60 minutes or until tamale dough becomes firm. Add water if needed. Let stand uncovered 20 minutes.
• Carefully unfold each tamale by removing string and opening husk. Spoon reserved sauce over each tamale, if desired.

GREEN CHILI, CHICKEN & CHEESE TAMALES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl or pot with warm water. Put the corn husks in the water and weight them down so they stay immersed.
• Combine all filling ingredients. Set aside.
• Combine masa, baking powder, and salt.
• In a standing mixer, beat the lard until it becomes light and fluffy.
• Gradually mix in dry ingredients.
• Slowly add chicken broth just until a soft dough forms.
• To assemble the tamales, put a spoonful of dough on the smooth side of a corn husk, smooth it down to a thin layer (1/8"-1/4" thick), and put a smaller spoonful of filling on the dough. Bring the two sides of the husk together so that the dough rolls around the filling and the husk overlaps itself. Fold up the bottom and tie it with a bit of string or a strand of corn husk.
• Set the tamales open end up in a steamer or colander. Put the steamer in a large pot with some water in the bottom. The water musn't touch the tamales. Cover tightly and steam over medium heat for 90-120 minutes.
• Once cooked, tamales can be kept in the freezer. To reheat, put in a microwave-safe bowl, cover, and cook on high for about one minute per tamale.

GREEN CHILE AND CHICKEN (TAMALE FILLING)

Steps:

• PLace the chicken breasts, garlic cloves, whole 1/4 onion, jalapenos, serranos and salt in a large stock pot. Fill with water until the breasts are covered.
• Cook on medium high heat for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is tender and almost falling off the bone.
• Take the chicken breasts out of the water and set aside.
• Place the jalapenos, serranos, garlic, and whole onion in the blender. Add in 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid and blend on high for a minute or so until the chiles are pureed.
• Heat the oil in a saute pan. While the oil is heating up, cut the zuchinni into a small dice about the size of sweet peas. Add the zuchinni and diced onion to the saute pan. Saute the mixture for 5 minutes or until the zuchinni starts to soften. Add in the 1/2 chicken bouillon cube and stir until it is melted. Pour in the chile and stir to combine. Let the mixture cook for 2 minutes on a low boil.
• Next, shred the chicken using your fingers or two forks. Add the shredded chicken into the chile. Stir to combine. The mixture should not be too thick, if it is add an additional 1/4 cup of the cooking broth.
• Taste for salt and add if necessary.
• The mixture is now ready to be stuffed in tamales or whatever you may be using it for.

CORN, CHEESE AND CHILI TAMALES WITH TOMATILLO-AVOCADO SALSA

Steps:

• Salsa:.
• Cook tomatillos, onion, garlic and chilies in heavy large skilllet over high heat until charred in spots but still firm, turning occsionally, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer to food processor or blender.
• Using on/off setting, chop coarsely.
• Add all remaining ingredients.
• Blend to course puree.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover and Chill (can be made up to 24 hours ahead).
• Tamales:.
• Selecting 18-20 large clean husks, place in large bowl and fill with warm water.
• Weight husks down with saucer and soak until soft, separating occasionally, about 2 hours.
• Form 36 ties by tearing several husks into 1/2 in wide strips.
• Char chilies directly over gas flame or under broiler until blackened on all sides.
• Place in medium bowls, cover tightly with plastic.
• Let stand 10 minutes.
• Peel, seed and chop chilies, set aside.
• To make dough, blend Masa Harina, butter, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in processor until coarse meal forms.
• Add broth and blend in (mixture will be crumbly).
• Transfer masa mixture to large bowl.
• In food processor blend 2 1/2 cups corn, 1 cup cheese, baking powder, pepper and 1 1/4 teaspoon salt until coarse puree forms.
• Stir puree into masa mixture until blended.
• Add 2 1/2 cups corn to masa mixture.
• For each tamale, open 1 large softened husk. Place 1/3 cup tamale dough in center of husk.
• Make depression in center of dough and fill with 1 tablespoon chilies and 1 tablespoon shredded cheese.
• Using moistened fingertips, press dough over filling to cover and shape into 3 inch long log placed parallel to long edge of husk.
• Fold 1 long side of husk over filling and roll up to enclose.
• Tie ends of filled husks tightly with husk strips.
• Add water to large pot containing steamer insert to reach bottom of insert.
• Layer tamales in steamer insert.
• Bring water to boil and cover pot.
• Steam until tamales are firm (about 1 hour).
• Be sure to maintain water level in pot, adding adding boiling water to pot as needed.
• Remove steamer insert when adding water to pot.
• May be made 1 day in advance, cooling slightly before refrigerating.
• Before serving resteam for approximately 45 minutes to heat thoroughly).

GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TAMALES

Steps:

• Filling Directions:.
• Place husks in large pot or large bowl; add water to cover. Place heavy plate on husks to keep submerged. Let stand until husks soften, turning occasionally, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day - I find that over-night is perfect.
• Preheat boiler. Line heavy baking sheet with foil. Arrange tomatillos on prepared sheet and broil until tomatillos blaken in spots, turning once (about 5 minute per side). Transfer tomatillos and any juices on sheet to processor and cool.
• Add chiles and garlic to processor and blend until smooth puree forms.
• Heat oil on medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add tomatillo puree and boil 5 minutes, stirring often.
• Add broth and reduce heat to medium; simmer until sauce coats spoon thickly and is reduced to 1 cup, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes.
• Season with salt and mix in chicken and cilantro (can be made 1 day ahead, cover and chill).
• I usually double this portion of the recipe and freeze half, it holds very well in the freezer.
• Dough Directions:.
• Using electric mixer, beat shortening (with salt and baking powder if using) in large bowl until fluffy.
• Beat in fresh masa or masa harina mixture in 4 additions.
• Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups broth, forming tender dough. If dough seems firm, beat in enough broth, two tablespoons at a time to soften.
• Fill bottom of pot with steamer insert with enough water (about two inches) to reach bottom of insert. Line bottom of insert with some softened corn husks.
• Tear 3 large husks into 1/4-inch-wide strips to use as ties and set aside. This isn't necessary, I only do it when I want to make the tamales look "pretty".
• Open 1 large husks on work surface. Spread 1/4 cup dough in 4-inch square in center of each, leaving 2-3-inch plain border at narrow end of husk.
• Spoon heaping tablespoon filling in strip down center of dough square. Fold sides of husk towards center and the narrow bottom end up so that the chicken mixture is "contained" in the center of dough and husk. This is where you can tie them with a strip of husk, but I find it isn't necessary. Leave wide end of tamale open.
• Stand tamales in steamer basket, open end UP. Repeat with more husks, dough and filling until all filling has been used. If necessary, to keep tamales upright in steamer, insert pieces of crumpled foil between them.
• Bring water in pot to boil, cover and steam tamales until dough is firm to touch and separates easily from husk, adding more water to pot as necessary, about 45 minutes.
• Let stand 10 minutes.
• Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool one hour, cover and chill. Before serving, re-steam tamales until hot, about 35 minutes.

QUICK CHICKEN-AND-CHEESE TAMALES

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse the masa harina with the baking powder and salt.
• Add the water and pulse to moisten the masa harina.
• Add the vegetable shortening in clumps and drizzle with the chicken stock.
• Process until smooth and evenly blended, scraping the side of the bowl occasionally.
• Transfer the dough to a large bowl and stir in the shredded chicken, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro and scallions.
• Tear twelve 12-inch-square sheets of plastic wrap.
• Working with 6 at a time, spoon a scant 1/2 cup of the tamale mixture onto the center of each sheet.
• With lightly moistened hands, press the tamales into 4-by-2-inch rectangles, about 1/2 inch thick.
• Fold up the squares of plastic around the tamales, twist the ends securely and then fold them under to make packets.
• Repeat to form the remaining tamales.
• Arrange the tamales seam side down in the bottom of a large bamboo (or other) steamer.
• Steam over 2 inches of boiling water for 25 minutes.
• Let the tamales cool slightly, then carefully transfer them to a large platter:
• Cut the ends of the plastic-wrapped packets and slide the tamales out onto the platter.
• Serve the tamales with hot sauce and a Juicy, cherry-rich Merlot: 2005 Covey Run Columbia Valley.

CHEESE WITH ROASTED CHILE TAMALES

Steps:

• MAKE TAMALE MASA:, Place 1 pound of lard in a large stand mixer with a flat beater and mix until fluffy; scraping sides so the lard stays in the center of the mixing bowl. Add half the baking powder and half the salt and mix all together., Add half the masa and mix together. Slowly add half the broth to the masa and mix until combined. The mixture should be about the consistency of smooth peanut butter. If not, add more broth as necessary. Test the masa by taking a small piece (1/2 teaspoon) and dropping it into a cup of warm water. If it floats, it is ready. If it sinks, add a little more lard, beat for another minute, and test again. Repeat this process until the masa floats. Pour the masa mixture into a bigger bowl. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients., Cover the masa and set aside while you prepare filling., For filling, heat olive oil, add flour and stir for 3 minutes. Add diced green chiles and garlic powder and stir for 5 minutes., Add suero, salt, and ½ cup of shredded cheese, and simmer for 7 minutes, stirring until cheese melts and mixture thickens. Let mixture cool before filling tamales., PREPARE OJAS (CORN HUSKS):, Soak corn husks in water for an hour before using, rinse well with running water to take off any dust or corn husk fibers. To keep corn husks pliable and easy to work with, keep in water while filling tamales. Place a handful of wet corn husks in a colander to drain before using., SPREAD MASA:, Place the wide end of the husk on the palm of your hand. The narrow end is at the top. Starting at the middle of the husk, with the back of a spoon, spread 2 tablespoons of the masa in a rectangle or oval shape, using a downward motion towards the wide-bottom edge. Do not spread the masa to the ends; leave about a 2-inch border on the left and right sides of the husk., FILL CORN HUSKS:, Spoon 1½ tablespoons of filling down the center of the masa, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cheese. Fold both sides to the center; finish off by bringing the pointed end of the husk toward the filled end. Make sure it's a snug closure so the tamale will not open during steaming. Secure by tying a thin strip of corn husk around the tamale. This will keep the tamale from unwrapping during the steaming process, especially if the husk is too thick and will not stay folded., STEAM TAMALES:, Use a deep pot or tamale steamer to steam tamales. If using a tamale steamer, fill with water up to the fill line. Set the tamale rack over the water. Place tamales upright with fold against the sides of the other tamales to keep them from unfolding. Cover pot with a tight fitting lid. Set heat on high and bring to a boil, about 15 minutes. Lower heat and simmer for 2½ to 3 hours. Keep lid on tightly. To test if done, place one tamale on a plate and take off the corn husk. If it comes off without sticking to the tamale, they're done.