Quick and Easy Cheese Tamales
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cheese-tamales-tamales-de-queso-3029717-step-hero-01-dc30efa1a736499282fd8abb1033c87d.jpg)
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
285 | Calories |
16g | Fat |
28g | Carbs |
10g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings: 16 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 285 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 16g | 20% |
Saturated Fat 8g | 39% |
Cholesterol 34mg | 11% |
Sodium 425mg | 18% |
Total Carbohydrate 28g | 10% |
Dietary Fiber 2g | 8% |
Total Sugars 3g | |
Protein 10g | |
Vitamin C 1mg | 6% |
Calcium 209mg | 16% |
Iron 3mg | 15% |
Potassium 218mg | 5% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
Tamales can be labor-intensive to prepare, but most of the work goes into the filling. These cheese tamales are great for beginners because the filling only requires salsa and grated cheese. All you have to make is the corn masa or dough—and that's surprisingly simple. With those two elements prepared, it's just a matter of assembling and steaming the tamales.
Tamales are perfect for breakfast or lunch, and they can be reheated quickly in the microwave. Once you learn how to make tamales, fill them with whatever strikes your fancy—barbecue pork, chicken salad, leftover roast chicken—anything at all. You can even make little appetizer-sized tamales.
Enjoy tamales with rice and beans for a meal, or by themselves, as a perfect grab-n-go snack.
Ingredients
-
1 (6-ounce) package banana leaves, or dried corn husks
-
6 tablespoons lard, or vegetable shortening
-
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
-
1 cup chili con queso, homemade or jarred
-
4 cups masa harina
-
2 to 3 cups chicken stock
-
Salt, to taste
-
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
-
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
-
1 cup grated pepper jack cheese
-
1 1/2 cups salsa, such as black bean, corn, and roasted pepper
Steps to Make It
-
Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
-
Set the banana leaves out to thaw. If using corn husks instead, soak in very hot water for an hour to soften.
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
-
Make the masa: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the lard or vegetable shortening, cream cheese, and chili con queso until light and fluffy.
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
-
In a separate bowl, mix the masa harina with 2 cups of chicken stock. Add half of the masa harina mixture to the lard mixture and beat well.
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
-
Add the remaining masa along with additional chicken stock as needed, beating well, until mixture resembles a thick cake batter. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
-
For the filling, stir together the grated cheddar and pepper jack cheeses with the salsa.
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
-
Rinse and dry the banana leaves and cut them into rectangles about 8 inches by 10 inches in size (for medium tamales). Pat the corn husks dry, if using.
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
-
Lay a banana leaf rectangle or corn husk on a flat surface. Place about 1/4 cup of the masa in the middle and spread into a rectangle about 2 inches by 4 inches. Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of the filling in the center of the rectangle.
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
-
Fold the sides of the banana leaf (or corn husk) in over the filling, closing the masa over the cheese filling.
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
-
Fold up the bottom half over the filling, then fold the top half down and roll the tamale until well wrapped.
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
-
Tie the tamale with a piece of kitchen string or a strip of banana leaf to secure it. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to produce more tamales.
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
-
Bring 1 to 2 inches of water to boil in a steamer pot or in a large pot with a colander or steamer basket set inside. Fill the steamer with one layer of tamales (you may have to steam in batches). The tamales should be above the water; they are cooked by the steam only. Cover the tamales with a dish towel and the pot lid and steam for 30 to 40 minutes. Add water to the pot when necessary.
The Spruce / Julia Estrada
-
Remove the tamales and serve warm. Enjoy!
Tips
- Tamales can be reheated in the microwave.
How to Store and Freeze Tamales
- Tamales can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Tamales can also be frozen. They will keep in the freezer for up to four months. Reheat them, from frozen, by steaming for 15 to 20 minutes, or by heating them in the oven, wrapped in foil.
Recipe Tags: