Tamales Ala King Food

EASY TAMALE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Shuck husks off tamales and place, single layer, in a 9x13 baking dish.
• Mix all other ingredients (except for shredded cheddar cheese for top) until well blended. It will have a very soupy consistency.
• Pour over tamales and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbling hot.
• Sprinkle w/ cheddar cheese and bake a few more minutes until melted.
• Serve hot!

TRADITIONAL TAMALES (PORK)

Steps:

• In a 5 qt Dutch oven, bring pork, water, onion, garlic and 1 1/2 salt to boil.
• Simmer covered, about 2 1/2 hours or until meat is very tender.
• Remove meat from broth and allow both meat and broth to cool. (Chilling the broth will allow you to easily remove the fat if you desire to do so).
• Shred the meat using 2 forks, discarding fat.
• Strain the broth and reserve 6 cups.
• In a large sauce pan, heat the red chili sauce and add meat; simmer, covered for 10 minutes.
• To make masa beat shortening on medium speed in a large bowl for 1 minute.
• In a separate bowl, stir together masa harina, baking powder and 2 teaspoons salt.
• Alternately add masa harina mixture and broth to shortening, beating well after each addition. (Add just enough broth to make a thick, creamy paste).
• In the mean time, soak corn husks in warm water for at least 20 minutes; rinse to remove any corn silk and drain well.
• To assemble each tamale, spread 2 tablespoons of the masa mixture on the center of the corn husk (each husk should be 8 inches long and 6 inches wide at the top. If husks are small, overlap 2 small ones to form one. If it is large, tear a strip from the side).
• Place about 1 tablespoon meat and sauce mixture in the middle of the masa.
• Fold in sides of husk and fold up the bottom.
• Place a mound of extra husks or a foil ball in the center of a steamer basket placed in a Dutch oven.
• Lean the tamales in the basket, open side up.
• Add water to Dutch oven just below the basket.
• Bring water to boil and reduce heat.
• Cover and steam 40 minutes, adding water when necessary.
• To freeze these for future meals, leave them in the husks and place them in freezer bags. To reheat, thaw and wrap in a wet paper towel and reheat in the microwave for 2 minutes for one or two or re-steam them just until hot.

HOT TAMALES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, kosher salt, paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper and cumin. Divide the mixture in half and reserve 1 half for later use.
• Cut the Boston butt into 6 even pieces and place into a 6 to 8-quart saucepan. Add half of the spice mixture and enough water, 3 to 3 1/2 quarts, to completely cover the meat. Set over high heat, cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the meat is very tender and falling apart, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Remove the meat from the cooking liquid to a cutting board. Leave the cooking liquid in the pot. Both meat and liquid need to cool slightly before making dough and handling. Remove any large pieces of fat and shred the meat into small pieces, pulling apart with your hands or using 2 forks.
• Place a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Once shimmering, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are semi-translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeno, and remaining half of the spice mixture and continue to cook for another minute. Add the meat and cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• While the meat is cooking, place the husks in a large bowl or container and submerge completely in hot water. Soak the husks until they are soft and pliable, at least 45 minutes and up to 2 hours.
• For the dough:
• Place the cornmeal, salt, and baking powder into a large mixing bowl and combine. Add the lard and using your hands, knead together until the lard is well incorporated into the dry mixture. Gradually add enough of the reserved cooking liquid, 3 to 4 cups to create a dough that is like thick mashed potatoes. The dough should be moist but not wet. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and set aside until ready to use.
• To assemble the tamales:
• Remove a corn husks from the water and pat dry to remove excess water. Working in batches of 6, lay the husks on a towel and spread about 2 tablespoons of the dough in an even layer across the wide end of the husk to within 1/2-inch of the edges. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture in a line down the center of the dough. Roll the husk so the dough surrounds the meat, then fold the bottom under to finish creating the tamale. Repeat until all husks, dough and filling are used. Tie the tamales, around the center, individually or in groups of 3, with kitchen twine.
• To cook the tamales:
• Stand the tamales upright on their folded ends, tightly packed together, in the same saucepan used to cook the meat. Add the reserved broth from making the dough and any additional water so the liquid comes to 1-inch below the tops of the tamales. Try not to pour the broth directly into the tops of the tamales. Cover, place over high heat and bring to a boil, approximately 12 minutes. Remove the lid, reduce the heat to low, to maintain a low simmer, and cook until the dough is firm and pulls away easily from the husk, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Serve the tamales warm. For a 'wet' hot tamale, serve with additional simmering liquid. Store leftover tamales, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, in the freezer, for up to a month. To reheat, remove the plastic wrap and steam until heated through.;

CHICKEN ALA KING IN 30 MINUTES

Steps:

• Preheat oven according to package directions for biscuits.
• Arrange biscuits on nonstick baking sheet and sprinkle with a little ground cayenne pepper or sweet paprika.
• Bake until golden, remove biscuits from oven and then cool. (10-18 minutes depending on the type biscuit you use).
• Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, bring wine & chicken broth to a boil. Add the bay leaf.
• Gently drop in chicken breasts & lower heat to simmer.
• Poach chicken for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Preheat another skillet over medium heat.
• Add oil and butter.
• When butter melts into oil, add mushrooms and onion and cook 5 minutes until tender.
• Stir in flour and cook another minute or so.
• Remove chicken from broth and set aside.
• Whisk 2 to 2 1/2 cups poaching liquid into the mushroom, onion & flour mixture. Discard the bay leaf.
• Add pimentos and peas to the sauce.
• Dice chicken into bite-size pieces and return it to the sauce.
• Add ground black pepper to taste.
• To serve: Split the biscuits, place bottoms on plates and cover with ladles of Chicken a la King.
• Cap with biscuit tops and garnish with chopped parsley.

TAMALES ALA KING

Steps:

• Layer tamales in a 9-inch by 13-inch casserole dish (no smaler). You will have two rows of twelve tamales.
• Mix green chilies and olives; sprinkle over tamales.
• Mix Chicken ala King and evaporated milk. Spread over the tamales.
• Top with cheese.
• Bake at 325°F for 45-60 minutes or until it bubbles.
• After baking, allow dish to sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.

CROCK POT TURKEY ALA KING

Steps:

• In crock pot mix together all ingredients except sour cream.
• Simmer on low at least 3 hours or you can let it simmer all day on low. About 1/2 hour before you serve add sour cream and mix well. When it come3s back up to desired temperature it is ready to serve.
• Serve over biscuite, Mashed potatoes, or toast points.