Guatemalan Tamalitos de Chipilin Recipe

"Simple and delicious, these tamalitos are prepared from corn dough and cheese. You can either leave the ends of the corn husks open or completely enclose the packets and tie them with string. These are traditionally served with Kak"ik (Turkey Leg Soup)."

Original is 20 servings

Metric US

I've Tried It

Ingredients

Add to Shopping List

Dried corn husks (1 package, 5-by-9-inches or larger)
2 1/2 cups masa harina
1/2 cup lard (shortening if you must, but lard is healthier and tastier)
1 teaspoon salt

2 cups chicken broth
5 ounces queso blanco (white cheese, cut into 1/4-inch dice)
If you don't have a Hispanic store near you, you can use Jack cheese

Nutritional

Serving Size: 1 (49.5 g)
Calories 125.6
Total Fat - 7.8 g
Saturated Fat - 3.4 g
Cholesterol - 12.3 mg
Sodium - 290 mg
Total Carbohydrate - 11.2 g
Dietary Fiber - 0.9 g
Sugars - 0.6 g
Protein - 3 g
Calcium - 68.6 mg
Iron - 1.1 mg
Vitamin C - 0 mg
Thiamin - 0.2 mg

Step by Step Method

Step 1

Soak the dried cornhusks in hot water until they are soft and pliable, about 10 minutes. Drain them well and set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl or a food processor, combine the masa harina, lard, and salt. Add the broth a little at a time while mixing to form smooth dough. Stir in the cheese.

Step 3

Open one of the husks so that it lies flat. If the husks are too small, overlap two (heads to tails) to make up the dimensions. Spread 1/4 cup of the dough in the center of the husk. Fold over the lengthwise edges. Fold up one of the open ends.

You can also tie the tops of the tamales. Just take one of the husks, rip it into strips along the grain, and use the strips to tie.

Step 4

Set a rack into a steamer or Dutch oven and fill with enough water to just below rack level. Arrange the tamales, open ends up, on the rack. Cover and set over medium-low heat. Steam for 1 hour, adding water as needed.