Making Tamales…

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Hello, sweet friends…

When I first came up with the idea of making tamales during the holidays I thought it was because the idea of trying something new sounded appealing. Once I began the whole process I realized it was more…linking me to a much bigger picture by connecting me to people who have come before me giving me a sense of security, belonging, & identity Making tamales during the holidays had been a ritual in my family when I was growing up and as I worked in my kitchen that afternoon it brought back memories of the past.Those early players of making tamales have changed (my grandmother & father) however the tradition remained that afternoon. Beginning with those first steps of shopping for ingredients to arriving home… organizing the corn husks, cheese, chili, butter etc. to finally preparing the tamales for cooking. I came to realize that my desire to make tamales this holiday season came from a deeper place within myself and I realized that with so many changes within my own family… what I was really looking for wasn’t to try something new…but longing for something to connect and ground me to the past those important events in my own life.

VEGETARIAN TAMALES WITH GREEN CHILE AND CHEESE

INGREDIENTS  

• 1 ¼ cups butter ideally high fat, European style butter
• 4 cups masa harina 
  • 35 corn husks
• 4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup whole corn kernels fresh or frozen
• 6 ounces grated jack cheese
• 8 ounces canned roasted and diced green chiles

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Place corn husks in a large bowl and cover with very hot water. Weight down with a heavy bowl or other kitchen item and set aside to soften for 30 minutes. Drain well and pat dry.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat butter on high until very fluffy, light and doubled in size, about 5 minutes.
• While the butter is beating, whisk together masa harina, salt, baking powder, and cumin in a medium bowl.
• To a blender pitcher add milk and corn and blend until smooth. Pour over masa harina mixture and stir until well combined into a thick dough.
• Add masa dough to butter in 2 or 3 additions, mixing on medium-low to combine between each addition. Increase speed to high and mix until light and fluffy, about 8 minutes. Test your masa dough by placing a teaspoon of dough into a glass of cool water, it should float. If not continue to mix the dough and try