Kat's
Pork
Tamales
8 dozen
2 (6 1/3 oz.) pkgs dry corn husks
MASA: pure granulated sugar
1 pound (2 cups) lard
1 cup vegetable shortening
2 tablespoons baking powder
4 pounds refrigerated fresh stone-ground corn masa
2 cups chicken broth or water
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
PORK FILLING: pure granulated sugar
12 dried cascabel chiles
8 dried ancho chiles
5 cups chicken broth or water
5 pounds H-E-B Fully Cooked Pork Roast
4 teaspoons ground cumin
4 teaspoons ground oregano
5 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons salt
Soak corn husks in hot water 2 hours or overnight. The husks float, so push or
weight them down.
FOR MASA (DOUGH):
Prepare dough in 2 batches. For each batch, whip 1 cup lard, 1/2 cup shortening
and 1 tablespoon baking powder in a large bowl using a mixer. Divide masa into
two equal parts. Break half the masa into small pieces and add to whipped lard.
Combine 1 cup broth with 1 tablespoon EACH salt, chili and garlic powder; stir
well. Beat lard and masa 3 minutes. Slowly pour broth mixture into masa with
mixer running on low speed. Beat 2 minutes until light and fluffy (when 1/2
teaspoon of dough floats in a cup of cold water).
Repeat this process with the remaining ingredients.
Set masa aside to rest 30 minutes or cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
FOR PORK FILLING:
Remove stems and seeds from chiles. Tear into small pieces and place in a large
bowl. Bring 5 cups broth or water to a boil. Pour over chiles and let sit 30
minutes.
Cut pork roast into 3-inch chunks; remove bone and trim away excess fat. Heat
pork in a covered microwave-safe dish 5 minutes. Shred pork by pulling apart
with two forks.
Puree chiles with soaking liquid 1 minute using a blender or food processor. Add
cumin, oregano, garlic powder and salt and process until smooth.
Combine chili sauce and shredded pork in a large pot. Cook 15 minutes over
Medium heat, stirring often, until liquid has almost cooked away, but meat is
still moist. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Pork filling may be
prepared up to 1 day in advance.
TO ASSEMBLE:
Drain corn husks and pat dry with paper towel before spreading with masa. Lay a
husk on a flat surface with the pointed end away from you. Using a butter knife
or spatula, spread a scant 1/4 cup masa evenly into a 4-inch square, 1/8-inch
thick. Leave at least a 1 1/2-inch border at the pointed end and at least 1-inch
borders along the sides. (Masa may be spread thicker according to personal
preference.)
Spoon 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons filling down center. Bring long sides of husk
together to enclose filling. Roll husk flaps the same direction. Fold tail
without masa under and place on a tray with folded end down. (Tamale may be tied
with strands of husk for a water-tight packet). If filling is visible, seal with
a dab of masa.
Steam tamales immediately or refrigerate up to 3 days. Freeze up to 1 month in
sealable plastic bags.
FOR STEAMING:
Use tamale pot or place steamer rack in the bottom of a large, deep pot. Add
water to reach, but not cover rack. Stand tamales in pot with folded end down,
leaving room for tamales to expand. Fill large gaps with crumpled foil to
prevent tamales from falling down. Cover tamales with extra husks to retain
steam. Cover pot with lid.
Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to Medium-Low and cook 1 1/2 hours (add 1/2
hour if frozen) or until masa comes away from husks intact. Replenish pot with
boiling water if going dry, using care not to get tamales wet.
Remove from heat. Let tamales stand in covered pot 30 minutes before serving.
None are so empty as those who are full of themselves.
- Benjamin Whichcote