{"id":"tamal_d12b603b4d","slug":"authentic-latin-american-tamales","title":"Authentic Latin American Tamales","description":"Soft, fluffy corn dough (masa) filled with savory seasoned meat and salsa, wrapped in corn husks and steamed to perfection. A traditional morning staple across Latin America.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":60,"cookMinutes":90,"totalMinutes":150,"activeMinutes":60},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"24 dried corn husks","name":"Corn Husks","quantity":24,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":24,"usUnit":"piece","form":"dried","notes":"Plus extra for patching","group":"Wrapping","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"500g masa harina","name":"Masa Harina","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"4","usUnit":"cup","form":"flour","notes":"Corn flour for tamales","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"200g lard or vegetable shortening","name":"Vegetable Shortening","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"solid fat","notes":"Whipping the fat is crucial for texture","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"500ml chicken or pork broth","name":"Chicken Broth","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2 1/8","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"Warm broth helps hydrate the masa","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"5g baking powder","name":"Baking Powder","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"10g salt","name":"Salt","quantity":10,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"Adjust to taste","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"450g cooked shredded pork or chicken","name":"Pork Shoulder","quantity":450,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"shredded","notes":"Pork shoulder or chicken breast","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"240ml salsa roja or verde","name":"Parsley","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"sauce","notes":"Mix with the shredded meat","group":"Filling","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place dried corn husks in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Weigh them down with a plate and soak for at least 30 minutes until soft and pliable.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place dried corn husks","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large mixing bowl, beat the lard (or shortening) with a hand mixer until it is very fluffy and white, about 3-5 minutes.","group":"Dough","title":"Beat the lard with a hand mixer","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Dough"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Gradually add the masa harina, baking powder, and salt to the whipped fat. Slowly pour in the warm broth while mixing until a soft, spreadable paste forms. Test a small ball in a cup of water; if it floats, the dough is ready.","group":"Dough","title":"Gradually add the masa harina, baking powder, and salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Mix the shredded cooked meat with the salsa in a separate bowl until well coated.","group":"Filling","title":"Mix the shredded cooked meat","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Pat a corn husk dry. Spread about 2 tablespoons of masa dough onto the wide end of the husk, leaving room at the edges. Place 1 tablespoon of the meat filling in the center of the dough.","group":"Assembly","title":"Pat a corn husk dry","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Fold the sides of the husk over the filling, then fold the narrow bottom of the husk up to seal. Repeat with remaining ingredients.","group":"Assembly","title":"Fold the sides of the husk","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Stand the tamales upright in a steamer basket with the open ends facing up. Steam over boiling water (100°C / 212°F) for 60-90 minutes. They are done when the husk pulls away easily from the masa.","group":"Cooking","title":"Stand the tamales upright","timerMinutes":90,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"Ensure the masa is whipped well for a light, airy texture. The 'float test' (placing a small piece of dough in water) is the best way to check if it's ready.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["steam"],"equipment":["Steamer pot","Hand mixer","Mixing bowls"],"diet":["gluten_free","dairy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":24,"unit":"tamales","note":"Makes approximately 24 tamales"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Tamales can be assembled and frozen before steaming, or steamed and then frozen."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Steam for 10 minutes or wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 2 minutes."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ftamal_d12b603b4d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a65fa4ce-77fb-4449-be9a-bc97d53207fc","imageAlt":"Authentic Latin American Tamales — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["tamales","masa","steamed","corn","latin american","traditional","breakfast"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Authentic Latin American Tamales","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:12:22.212Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:12:22.212Z","related":[{"id":"acai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa","slug":"acai-na-tigela","title":"Açaí na Tigela","description":"A refreshing and energizing Brazilian breakfast staple made from frozen açaí palm fruit, blended into a thick smoothie-like consistency and topped with granola and fresh fruit.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Brazilian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Facai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=bcea20c0-f124-4011-87e9-4fdfe51cca58","imageAlt":"Açaí na Tigela — recipe cover","tags":["acai","smoothie bowl","healthy","brazilian","fruit","superfood"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"baleada_9f93ff550d","slug":"baleada","title":"Baleada","description":"A beloved Honduran classic featuring thick, fluffy flour tortillas filled with creamy refried beans, salty cheese, and rich crema. This traditional breakfast is hearty, comforting, and quintessentially Latin American.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Honduran"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbaleada_9f93ff550d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0ab37045-c4de-4989-88b4-76f3f3ea5d43","imageAlt":"Baleada — recipe cover","tags":["baleada","honduran","beans","breakfast","tortilla","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6},{"id":"cachapa_2f3970e968","slug":"cachapa-venezuelan-sweet-corn-pancakes","title":"Cachapa (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes)","description":"Authentic Venezuelan corn pancakes made with fresh corn, sugar, and salt, traditionally served folded over a thick slice of salty white cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Venezuelan"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcachapa_2f3970e968%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7eab7bcc-59ea-4cd6-baf5-4fba1fe65fdf","imageAlt":"Cachapa (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes) — recipe cover","tags":["corn","cheese","sweet-savory","traditional","pancakes"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6}]}