This recipe is a time saver on TWO levels. One, if you were going to make traditional tamales, this recipe cuts the time in half! The prep work is much quicker and so is the cooking time. Two, this recipe starts with cooked shredded meat. That means, LEFTOVERS from another meal--such as a beef roast, pulled pork, grilled chicken, even take-out! So when you prepare one meal during the week, you are actually getting a head-start on the appetizers for your weekend gathering! Isn't that EXCITING!?!