Venezuelan Tamales Food

VENEZUELAN TAMALES

Steps:

• Add broth gradually to cornmeal in large bowl, stirring constantly until mixture forms soft dough. Knead in oil until well blended. (Dough will be light yellow-orange in color.) Cover with clean, damp kitchen towel; set aside.
• Cook tomatoes, dressing and capers in medium saucepan on medium heat 5 min., stirring frequently. Add chicken and pork; cook 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
• Spoon 1/4 cup dough onto center of 1 banana leaf; spread into 5x3-inch rectangle. Top with 1/3 cup meat mixture, 1 onion slice, 1/2 tsp. nuts, 1 Tbsp. bacon, 2 olives and 1 pepper strip; set aside. Spoon 1/4 cup of the remaining dough onto center of second banana leaf; spread into 6x4-inch rectangle. Carefully place second banana leaf, dough-side down, over filling on first banana leaf; press together gently. Fold over lengthwise sides of leaves, then fold over both remaining sides to completely enclose filling. Tie closed with kitchen twine. Repeat to make 12 tamales.
• Pour 2 cups water into 8-qt. stockpot fitted with steamer basket. (Or, use a tamalera pot.) Line bottom of basket with remaining banana leaves; top with tamales. Cover with lid. Bring water to boil on medium-high heat. Steam on medium-low heat 1 hour or until tamales pull away from banana leaves, adding more boiling water to pan when necessary. Remove from steamer; cool slightly.