Mexican Pulled-Pork Tamales (Tamales de Carnitas)

Mexican Pulled-Pork Tamales (Tamales de Carnitas)
Yield
6servings
Yield
6servings
Mexican Pulled-Pork Tamales (Tamales de Carnitas)
Yield
6servings
Yield
6servings
Ingredients
  • 15each dried corn husks
  • 1cup Carnitas
  • 3/4cup Tamale Dough
  • 1cup boiling water
  • 3/4cup masa harina
  • 1cup frozen corn kernelsthawed
  • 4tablespoons butterunsalted, cut into 1/2-inch cubes and softened
  • 2ounces lardsoftened
  • 1tablespoon sugar
  • 1 1/2teaspoons baking powder
  • 1teaspoon coarse salt
  • Filling:
  • 2ounces Monterey Jack cheese(about 1/2 cups) shredded
  • 1tablespoon pickled jalapeñosminced
Yield:
Instructions
Soak the Corn Husks:
  1. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot.
  2. Add the corn husks, cover, and simmer until softened and pliable, about 10 minutes.
  3. Drain and set aside.
Soak the Grits:
  1. Place the grits in a medium bowl, whisk in the boiling water, and left stand until most of the water is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
Mix the Dough:
  1. Stir in the masa haring to form a dough, cover, and let cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
Process the Dough:
  1. Add the butter and lard to a bowl of a food processor and process for about 1 minute.
  2. Add the masa dough, corn, sugar, baking powder and salt and continue to process until the mixture is light, sticky and very smooth, about 1 more minute.
  3. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Assemble the Tamales:
  1. In a small bowl, toss the cheese with the pickled jalapeños and add 1 cup of the cooked of the carnitas meat.
  2. Working with one husk at a time, spoon a scant 1/4 cup of the dough into the center of each husk.
  3. Add a heaping tablespoon of the filling in the center of the dough and, using the sides of the husk push the dough up and over the filling to completely encase it.
  4. Fold the two long sides of the husk over the corn mixture.
  5. Fold the tapered end up, leaving the top open.
  6. Lay the tamales seam-side down on a sheet pan until ready to steam.
Steam the Tamales:
  1. Steam the Tamales about 1 hour and serve hot.