Xochipilli's Ancho Pork Tamales
- Ready In:
- 2hrs 30mins
- Ingredients:
- 20
- Yields:
-
24 tamales
ingredients
-
BASIC MASA DOUGH
- 2 cups reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth
- 2 ancho chilies
- 1 1⁄2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
- 3 3⁄4 cups masa harina
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1⁄4 cup lard, chilled
-
Tamales
- 24 dried corn husks
- 1⁄2 cup reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth
- 1⁄3 cup dried cherries
- 1 ancho chili, stemmed
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1 (1 lb) pork tenderloin
- 2 cups hot water
- lime wedge (optional)
directions
- Prepare Basic Masa Dough up to three days ahead, and refrigerate in an airtight container.
- Basic Masa Dough: Combine chicken broth and ancho chiles in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH for 2 minutes or until chiles are tender; cool slightly, Combine broth mixture and corn in a blender; process until smooth.
- Lightly spoon masa harina into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine masa harina, salt, and baking powder, stirring well with a whisk. Cut in lard with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add broth mixture to masa mixture; stir until a soft dough forms. Cover and chill until ready to use.
- Tamales: Place corn husks in a large bowl; cover with water. Weight husks down with a can; soak 30 minutes. Drain husks.
- Combine broth, cherries, and ancho chile in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave at HIGH for 2 minutes or until cherries and ancho are tender. Combine broth mixture, onion, and next 5 ingredients (through garlic) in a blender; process until mixture is smooth. Reserve 1/2 cup broth mixture; cover and chill. Place remaining broth mixture in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add pork; seal and marinate in refrigerator 1 hour, turning bag occasionally.
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Remove pork from bag, and discard marinade. Place pork on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450F for 30 minutes or until a thermometer registers 155F (slightly pink). Let pork stand 20 minutes; shred pork with 2 forks. Toss shredded pork with reserved 1/2 cup broth mixture.
- Working with one husk at a time, place about 3 tablespoons Basic Masa Dough in the center of husk, about 1/2 inch from top of husk; press dough into a 4-inch-long by 3-inch-wide rectangle. Spoon about 1 heaping tablespoon pork mixture down one side of dough. Using the corn husk as your guide, fold husk over tamale, being sure to cover filling with dough; fold over 1 more time. Fold bottom end of husk under. Place tamale, seam side down, on the rack of a broiler pan lined with a damp towel. Repeat procedure with remaining husks, Basic Masa Dough, and filling. Cover filled tamales with another damp towel. Pour 2 cups hot water in the bottom of a broiler pan; top with prepared rack.
- Steam tamales at 450F for 55 minutes, adding water as necessary to maintain a depth of about 1/2 inch. Let tamales stand 10 minutes. Serve with sauce and lime wedges, if desired.
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in microwave for 2 minutes.
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