Ah, tamales. The quintessential Mexican dish. There’s something so comforting about unwrapping the corn husk to reveal the delicious filling inside. For those who love a little heat, you can’t go wrong with Jalapeño Cheese Tamales.
To start off this delectable dish, you’ll need to gather a few key ingredients. For the masa (dough), you’ll need masa harina (corn flour), baking powder, salt, vegetable shortening, and chicken broth. For the filling, you’ll need jalapeños, shredded cheese, and cooked, shredded chicken.
First, prepare the masa by mixing the masa harina, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add vegetable shortening and mix until the dough is crumbly. Gradually add the chicken broth until the dough is moist and pliable.
Now it’s time to prepare the filling. Slice the jalapeños in half and remove the seeds. Mix the jalapeños, shredded cheese, and cooked, shredded chicken in a separate bowl.
To assemble the tamales, spread a spoonful of masa on a corn husk. Add a spoonful of the filling in the center and fold the sides of the corn husk over to enclose the filling. Tie the ends of the corn husk with a strip of its own to secure the tamale.
Steam the tamales for approximately 45 minutes until the masa is cooked and slightly firm.
Now it’s time to enjoy these spicy, cheesy, and oh-so-delicious Jalapeño Cheese Tamales. Perfect for a cozy night in with a loved one or to impress your friends with your culinary skills. And if you have leftovers, don’t worry, these tamales freeze well and can be reheated in the steamer.
So grab a delicious tamale and savor every bite as the flavors dance on your tongue. Buen provecho!