Stuffed Corn Husks Recipes

STUFFED CORN HUSKS

Steps:

• 1. Remove the husks from the corn and set aside. Scrape the kernels from the cobs and reserve the cobs. 2. Put the kernels in the container of an electric blender or food processor and blend or process very briefly at low speed. Do not liquefy. Scrape from the blender into a bowl and add the egg, sugar, salt, cream cheese, butter, baking powder, and cornmeal. The mixture should be on the heavy side. 3. Divide the mixture into 12 and place each portion on a double husk, roll to enclose, and then wrap in aluminum foil. 4. Place a layer of corncobs in the bottom of a large pot and add the water. Place the packages on top of cobs, cover, and steam for 45 minutes, or until done.

STUFFED CORN HUSKS

Steps:

• Remove corn from husks, trying not to tear the husks.
• Fill the husks with shrimp, scallops and parboiled lobster or crab claws. Sprinkle with wine and scallions, and salt and pepper.
• Bring husks back together and tie top with a piece of husk. Place on hot grill for 15 minutes, turning several times.

CARNITAS TAMALES (SHREDDED PORK STUFFED CORN HUSKS)

Steps:

• Soak corn husks in warm water to cover for at least 2 hours or until pliable. Heat oil in a large saucepan and sauté onion until tender. Stir in red sauce, shredded pork, and remaining ingredients except tamale dough and olives. Bring to a boil reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add a little pork liquid if mixture becomes too dry. Prepare Tamale Dough.Drain corn husks and pat dry with paper towels. Spread 1/4 cup dough across the center of each husk, from one edge to within 1/2 inch of other edge. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the pork mixture into the center of the dough top with an olive. Roll husks around the filling, starting with the dough edge. Then, fold each end up toward the center to make a packet. Secure with strips of corn husk or string, as needed.Set tamales on a rack in a large stockpot, Dutch oven, or steamer. Pour boiling water into the pot to just under the rack level. Place a coin in the pot to rattle when water boils too low. Cover the pot and keep water simmering over low heat for 1 hour. Tamales freeze well.

TRADITIONAL CORN HUSK TAMALES

Steps:

• To prepare chile paste:.
• Break caps off all red chiles and shake seeds out. Soak red chiles in hot water until soft. Blend or process chiles into a paste using a small amount of water in which they were soaked to help it move in the food processor or blender. Put paste through a sieve to remove the skins. Throw skins away. This may be made way ahead of time and refrigerated until you make the tamales.
• To prepare meat:.
• Use the cheapest roasts you can find! Try to cook the meat the day before assembling tamales, keeping it in the refrigerator until tamale-making time. Cut meat into large chunks. Cover meat with water in a very large pot. Add 6 to 12 garlic cloves and 2 or 3 tablespoons salt. Cook meat, covered, for 3 hours or until meat is tender and falling apart. Remove meat from juice and shred. SAVE THE JUICE. Mix meat sauce with the meat.
• To prepare meat sauce:.
• Melt 2/3 cup lard or Crisco and add 2/3 cup flour. Boil for 2 minutes. Pour over shredded meat and mix. Add chili paste, one cup at a time, to taste. Add 1 tablespoon of cumin. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• To mix masa:.
• Place 12 pounds masa (room temperature) in a very large pan and mix with 1 1/4 cups lard or Crisco, 2 tablespoons salt, 2 tablespoons baking powder, 1 cup chile paste and 2 cups meat broth.
• Mix with hands. Add more meat broth (about 1 cup). Add more chile paste for color if desired. Work all ingredients together with hands for about 10 minutes. The dough is ready when a small lump floats slowly to the bottom of a glass of water.
• To assemble tamales:.
• Soak corn husks in hot water until soft. Using the larger husks, place each husk waxy side up (ribbed side down). Spread masa onto each husk out to the wide edge. Place a small portion of meat in the center of masa. (You may place a stuffed green olive on the meat if you care to.) Roll husks and fold back, wide sides to center, then tapered flap up.
• Set a wire rack or vegetable steamer in the bottom of a large kettle. Put water in kettle just up to the bottom of the rack or steamer. Set tamales in kettle standing on end. Pack them in, allowing room for expansion of masa as they cook. Steam for about 20 to 40 minutes, or until masa pulls away from corn husk easily.