how to wrap a tamale |
time required: 2 minutes per tamale |
here's how |
1. sort the husks |
go through the corn husks removing any debris. separate the larger usable pieces from the smaller bits and pieces. save the smaller pieces for later. |
2. soak the husks |
place the husks into a large bowl. cover husks with warm water. set a heavy item (like a heavy bowl) on top of the husks to keep them submerged. |
3. prepare the husks |
remove the husks from the water and pat dry. place into a covered dish or a large plastic bag to prevent from drying out. use only the larger and medium sized husks for the tamales. the smaller ones can be used later for ties or patches. when looking at the husk, they have a narrow end, a broad end, and 2 long sides. |
4. adding the dough |
lay a husk on a flat surface. place 1-2 tablespoons of dough onto the husk. when spreading the dough, leave a space of about 4 inches from the narrow end of the husk and about 2 inches from the other end. spread the dough to the edge of one of the long sides and 2 inches away from the other long side. try to keep the dough approximately 1/4 to a 1/2 inch thick. |
5. filling |
spread about a tablespoon of filling down the center of the dough. |
6. folding |
locate the long side with a 2 inch space with no masa. fold that over, slightly overlapping the other 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. |
7. tying |
create strips of husk by cutting or tearing 1/4 inch lengths off of some of the smaller or unusable husks. use these to tie across the middle of the tamale to hold the flaps down. |
8. steaming |
set tamales upright in a steamer. you can buy large steamers made just for this purpose. you may have something else you can use to create the same effect. the key is to have a small amount of boiling water on the bottom of the pot and a colander or mesh of some sort to keep the tamales away from the water. |
steam for about 90 minutes |
