| Ingredients
Makes 6 dozen tamales
Prep Time: 5 Hours 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour
Ready in: 6 Hours 30 Minutes
4 pounds boneless chuck roast
4 cloves garlic
3 (8 ounce) packages dried corn husks
4 dried ancho chiles
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup beef broth
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon white vinegar
salt to taste
3 cups lard
1 tablespoon salt
9 cups masa harina
Directions
1. Place beef and garlic in a large pot. Cover with cold water and bring
to a boil over high heat. As soon as water boils, reduce heat to a simmer
and cover pot. Let simmer for 3 1/2 hours, until beef is tender and shreds
easily. When beef is done, remove from pot, reserving 5 cups cooking liquid
and discarding garlic. Allow meat to cool slightly, and shred finely with
forks.
2. Meanwhile, place corn husks in a large container and cover with warm
water. Allow to soak for 3 hours, until soft and pliable. May need to
weight down with an inverted plate and a heavy can.
3. Toast ancho chiles in a cast iron skillet, making sure not to burn
them. Allow to cool and then remove stems and seeds. Crumble and grind
in a clean coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet. Mix in flour and allow to brown slightly.
Pour in 1 cup beef broth and stir until smooth. Mix in ground chiles,
cumin seeds, ground cumin, minced garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes,
vinegar and salt. Stir shredded beef into skillet and cover. Let simmer
45 minutes.
5. Place lard and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whip with an electric
mixer on high speed until fluffy. Add masa harina and beat at low speed
until well mixed. Pour in reserved cooking liquid a little at a time until
mixture is the consistency of soft cookie dough.
6. Drain water from corn husks. One at a time, flatten out each husk,
with the narrow end facing you, and spread approximately 2 tablespoons
masa mixture onto the top 2/3 of the husk. Spread about 1 tablespoon of
meat mixture down the middle of the masa. Roll up the corn husk starting
at one of the long sides. Fold the narrow end of the husk onto the rolled
tamale and tie with a piece of butchers' twine.
7. Place tamales in a steamer basket. Steam over boiling water for approximately
one hour, until masa is firm and holds its shape. Make sure steamer does
not run out of water. Serve immediately, allowing each person to unwrap
their own tamales. Allow any leftovers (still in husks) to cool, uncovered,
in the refrigerator.
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