Pumpkin Poblano Tamales Recipes

PUMPKIN-POBLANO TAMALES

Steps:

• Add hot water to bouillon cube in small bowl; let stand until dissolved. Use wooden spoon to mix lard, pumpkin, baking powder and cinnamon in large bowl until blended. Add masa harina and chicken broth; stir until mixture forms soft dough.
• Spread 1/4 cup masa dough into 4-inch square down center of each of 16 banana leaves, leaving about 2 inches at top of leaf. Top each with about 2 Tbsp. each chiles and cheese. Fold over sides and both ends of each leaf to completely enclose filling. Tie closed with strips cut from some of the remaining banana leaves.
• Pour 3 cups water into tamalera. Use enough of the remaining banana leaves to line bottom and side of tamalera. Add tamales, overlapping as necessary to fit; cover with remaining leaves. Steam 1 hour or until tamales are done, adding water to tamalera if needed. (Tamales are cooked when they pull away from leaves.) Cool slightly. Serve with sour cream.

ROASTED POBLANO TAMALES

Steps:

• Soak corn husks in hot water for 30 minutes or let stand overnight in room-temperature water. Prepare Tamale Dough recipe, adding the chopped epazote leaves with the flour.
• Assemble tamales by spreading 2 Tbsp. of the masa mixture (tamale dough) into a 3x2-inch rectangle down the center of each corn husk, leaving about 2 inches bare at the top of the husk. Spoon 1 Tbsp. of the peppers and 1 tsp. of the cheese down the center of the masa mixture on each husk; fold over the sides of the husk and both ends to completely enclose the filling.
• Stand tamales in a steamer basket in large pot filled 1/4 full with water. (Make sure tamales are not touching the water.) Bring water to boil; cover. Steam 1 hour or until tamales pull away from the corn husks, adding more water to the pot when necessary. Remove tamales from steamer basket; cool slightly. Top with TACO BELL® Thick & Chunky Salsa just before serving, if desired.

PUMPKIN TAMALES

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the masa, pumpkin and sugar. Add the vanilla, mace, cinnamon, and raisins and mix until well blended.
• To assemble the tamales, place 2 - 3 heaping tablespoons of the masa mixture in the net of the smooth side of the corn husk.
• Fold the sides of the husk in toward the center and tie the tamale at both ends.
• Prick the husk several times using the tip of a very sharp knife. Repeat for the remaining tamales.
• Steam the tamales for 45 - 50 minutes.
• Serve with a dollop of crema.

SHRIMP AND POBLANO CHILE TAMALES

Steps:

• Note: Chihuahua cheese available in most Hispanic markets, Queso Fresco available from Mozzarella Company 800-798-2954.
• Cover corn husks with hot tap water in a shallow baking dish.
• Bring chicken broth, creamed corn and milk just to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Gradually add broth mixture to masa harina in a medium bowl, stirring with a wooden spoon, until well blended; cool.
• Heat broiler.
• Line a broiler pan with foil.
• Arrange poblanos and bell pepper on prepared pan and broil 4 inches from heat 10 to 15 minutes, turning until skins are evenly charred.
• Wrap in foil and let stand 15 minutes.
• Peel, seed and dice chile and bell pepper; transfer to a medium bowl.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add onions and cook 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add garlic, reduce heat to medium and cook 1 minute more.
• Cool, then combine with chile, bell pepper and uncooked shrimp.
• Beat lard, baking powder, salt and sugar together in a large mixer bowl, until smooth.
• Gradually beat in masa harina mixture by spoonfuls, beating well after each addition.
• Continue to beat 5 to 8 minutes more, until mixture is light and fluffy.
• Stir in shrimp mixture and cheese (mixture will be stiff).
• Drain and rinse corn husks; keep covered with a damp towel (or follow foil directions below).
• Flatten one husk on work surface (overlapping two husks if small).
• Spoon 1/4 cup filling in center of husk.
• Spread into a 3-inch long log.
• Roll up lengthwise.
• Secure each end with string.
• Repeat with remaining husks and filling.
• To prepare tamales with foil: Cut each foil piece in half to make two 6x9-inch rectangles.
• Spread 1/4 cup filling in center of each rectangle.
• Fold all sides in to form 2x3-1/2-inch packets.
• (Can be made ahead. Place tamales in resealable plastic storage bags and freeze up to 1 month.) Place steamer rack in Dutch oven over 1 inch of water.
• Arrange tamales (unthawed if frozen) in rack.
• Cover; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and steam 30 minutes.
• Serve with Guacamole, if desired.
• Makes 28 tamales.
• (Nutrition facts are based on 1 tamale per serving.) yMasa Harina: A variety of flour made from specially processed corn.
• Used in tamales or to thicken sauces.
• Can be found in the baking section of most supermarkets.
• yyChile Poblano: Mild to medium-hot fresh chile.
• Popular for stuffing; usually roasted.