Tamales With Cheese Olives And Chilies Food

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.

TAMALES WITH CHEESE, OLIVES AND CHILIES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and then turn off the heat, Add the corn husks to the pot and weight them down with a plate to completely submerge them. Let them soak for 1 hours.
• If using fresh, store bought "masa", cream the shortening and salt in an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add "masa" and 1/3-1/2 c water gradually to the mixer until all the "masa" is used. Whip until fairly light and fluffy. Test the masa by taking a small ball and placing it in a glass or water, if it floats it is ready. If necessary add water in small increments.
• ----if using dried masa harina, cream the shortening and salt, Add the masa harina and broth slowly. Whip until masa is light and fluffy. Test in a glass of water to make sure it is ready.
• Drain the corn husks and pick 12 of the nicest, largest ones. Stread a husk in a cutting board with the large end facing the top of the board.
• Pat the husk dry with a paper towel and place one heaping tablespoon of masa right in the center. Using your fingers or the back of a spook spread the masa almost all the way to the sides of the husk and near the top.
• Leave most of the lower half of the husk uncovered. Place a couple of the cheese slices, chili strips and 2 or 3 olives in a vertical line down the center of the masa.
• Fold the sides of the husk toward each other and over lap them. Fold the empty half of the husk up against the rest of the filled roll.
• Pinch the open top of the husk close and lay the tamale flap side down in a steamer basket. Repeat with the remaining ingredients and make sure the tops of the tamales are pointed upward.
• Steam the tamales for 20-30 minutes or until the masa is fairly firm inside the husk.
• Tip:.
• To Roast chilies, either set them directly on top of a gas burner, turning them frequently, until the chilies are black or cut them in half and broil them for 5-7 minutes or until black. Place the chiles in a paper bag to steam for 15-20 minutes then peel the chilies. The black skin should come off easily.

CORN, CHEESE, AND CHILI TAMALES WITH TOMATILLO-AVOCADO SALSA

Steps:

• Make Salsa:
• Cook first 4 ingredients in heavy large skillet over high heat until charred in spots but still firm, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer to processor; using on/off turns, chop coarsely. Add all remaining ingredients. Blend to coarse puree. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Make Tamales:
• Selecting the largest and cleanest husks, place half of husks in large bowl; fill bowl with warm water. Weigh husks down with plate; soak husks until soft, separating occasionally, about 2 hours. Form 36 ties by tearing several husks into 1/2-inch-wide strips.
• Char chilies directly over gas flame or under broiler until blackened on all sides. Place in medium bowl; cover tightly with plastic. Let stand 10 minutes. Peel, seed, and chop chilies.
• 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. Blend 2 1/2 cups corn, 1 cup cheese, baking powder, pepper, and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt in processor until coarse puree forms. Stir puree, then 2 1/2 cups corn into masa.
• For each tamale, open 1 large softened husk. Place 1/3 cup tamale dough in center of husk. Make depression in center of dough; fill with 1 tablespoon chilies, then 1 tablespoon cheese. Using moistened fingertips, press dough over filling to cover; shape filled dough into 3-inch-long log parallel to 1 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 enough water to large pot containing steamer insert to reach bottom of insert. Layer tamales in steamer insert. Bring water to boil; cover pot. Steam until tamales are firm, removing insert and adding boiling water to pot to maintain water level as needed, about 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate. Before serving, re-steam 45 minutes to heat through.) Serve tamales in husks with salsa.

OLD-SCHOOL TAMALE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in the hot skillet until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease.
• Stir tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, olives, chili powder, garlic, cumin, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper into the skillet. Bring to a low boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 cup Cheddar cheese and continue to simmer until melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
• Heat milk, butter, sugar, and salt for topping in a large saucepan over medium heat until butter has melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in cornmeal a little at a time, stirring vigorously with each addition, until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup Cheddar cheese. Drizzle in beaten eggs slowly, stirring vigorously until combined. Pour mixture over filling in the prepared dish, smoothing evenly over the surface.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown and filling is bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. Allow pie to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN TAMALE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and stir to combine.
• Place vegetable shortening in the bowl of a stand mixer and whip on medium-high speed until fluffy.
• Mix in 1/3 of the masa harina mixture on medium speed, about 2 minutes. Mix in 1/2 of the chicken broth and mix until combined. Add 1/3 of the masa marina mixture, and mix about 2 minutes. Pour in the remaining broth and mix an additional 2 minutes. Add in the remainder of the masa mixture and mix about 5 minutes. The mixture will be a slightly thick batter. Allow to stand while the filling is prepared.
• Preheat the oven's broiler. Place poblano chiles directly on the oven rack under the broiler and broil until the skin is blackened and bubbly. Turn the peppers to blacken the skin on all sides, about 8 minutes total.
• Place broiled peppers in a paper bag, close the bag, and allow the peppers to steam inside the bag, about 10 minutes.
• When peppers are cool enough to touch, remove the skins. Cut the peppers open and remove the seeds and membranes. Slice into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• While the onions are cooking, use some more olive oil to grease a 10x10-inch baking dish, and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Add garlic to the skillet and cook about 1 minute. Stir in sliced poblano peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes and juice, green chiles, capers, cumin, and cloves. Cook for 4 minutes. Stir in cooked chicken and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
• Pour filling into the prepared dish.
• Carefully and evenly spread the masa harina mixture on top of the filling.
• Remove excess water from each corn husk and place on top of the masa mixture, overlapping as necessary. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
• Remove foil and corn husks. Sprinkle on Monterey Jack cheese and return to the oven until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
• Top with avocado slices, black olives, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, and green onions to taste. Serve warm.

TAMALE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Unwrap tamales and cut into thick chunks. Place a portion of the chopped tamales in the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. Then layer the onions, cheese, tortilla chips and chili without beans.
• Repeat this until all ingredients are used, topping off with cheese and chips. Then sprinkle with the water.
• Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 to 45 minutes.