Corn Cheese And Chili Tamales With Tomatillo Avocado Salsa Recipes

CORN, CHEESE AND CHILI TAMALES WITH TOMATILLO-AVOCADO SALSA

Steps:

• Salsa:.
• Cook tomatillos, onion, garlic and chilies in heavy large skilllet over high heat until charred in spots but still firm, turning occsionally, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer to food processor or blender.
• Using on/off setting, chop coarsely.
• Add all remaining ingredients.
• Blend to course puree.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover and Chill (can be made up to 24 hours ahead).
• Tamales:.
• Selecting 18-20 large clean husks, place in large bowl and fill with warm water.
• Weight husks down with saucer and soak until soft, separating occasionally, about 2 hours.
• Form 36 ties by tearing several husks into 1/2 in wide strips.
• Char chilies directly over gas flame or under broiler until blackened on all sides.
• Place in medium bowls, cover tightly with plastic.
• Let stand 10 minutes.
• Peel, seed and chop chilies, set aside.
• To make dough, blend Masa Harina, butter, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in processor until coarse meal forms.
• Add broth and blend in (mixture will be crumbly).
• Transfer masa mixture to large bowl.
• In food processor blend 2 1/2 cups corn, 1 cup cheese, baking powder, pepper and 1 1/4 teaspoon salt until coarse puree forms.
• Stir puree into masa mixture until blended.
• Add 2 1/2 cups corn to masa mixture.
• For each tamale, open 1 large softened husk. Place 1/3 cup tamale dough in center of husk.
• Make depression in center of dough and fill with 1 tablespoon chilies and 1 tablespoon shredded cheese.
• Using moistened fingertips, press dough over filling to cover and shape into 3 inch long log placed parallel to long edge of husk.
• Fold 1 long side of husk over filling and roll up to enclose.
• Tie ends of filled husks tightly with husk strips.
• Add water to large pot containing steamer insert to reach bottom of insert.
• Layer tamales in steamer insert.
• Bring water to boil and cover pot.
• Steam until tamales are firm (about 1 hour).
• Be sure to maintain water level in pot, adding adding boiling water to pot as needed.
• Remove steamer insert when adding water to pot.
• May be made 1 day in advance, cooling slightly before refrigerating.
• Before serving resteam for approximately 45 minutes to heat thoroughly).

CORN, CHEESE, AND CHILI TAMALES WITH TOMATILLO-AVOCADO SALSA

Steps:

• Make Salsa:
• Cook first 4 ingredients in heavy large skillet over high heat until charred in spots but still firm, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer to processor; using on/off turns, chop coarsely. Add all remaining ingredients. Blend to coarse puree. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Make Tamales:
• Selecting the largest and cleanest husks, place half of husks in large bowl; fill bowl with warm water. Weigh husks down with plate; soak husks until soft, separating occasionally, about 2 hours. Form 36 ties by tearing several husks into 1/2-inch-wide strips.
• Char chilies directly over gas flame or under broiler until blackened on all sides. Place in medium bowl; cover tightly with plastic. Let stand 10 minutes. Peel, seed, and chop chilies.
• To make dough, blend Masa Harina, butter, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt in processor until coarse meal forms. Add broth and blend in (mixture will be crumbly). Transfer masa mixture to large bowl. Blend 2 1/2 cups corn, 1 cup cheese, baking powder, pepper, and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt in processor until coarse puree forms. Stir puree, then 2 1/2 cups corn into masa.
• For each tamale, open 1 large softened husk. Place 1/3 cup tamale dough in center of husk. Make depression in center of dough; fill with 1 tablespoon chilies, then 1 tablespoon cheese. Using moistened fingertips, press dough over filling to cover; shape filled dough into 3-inch-long log parallel to 1 long edge of husk. Fold 1 long side of husk over filling and roll up to enclose. Tie ends of filled husks tightly with husk strips.
• Add enough water to large pot containing steamer insert to reach bottom of insert. Layer tamales in steamer insert. Bring water to boil; cover pot. Steam until tamales are firm, removing insert and adding boiling water to pot to maintain water level as needed, about 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate. Before serving, re-steam 45 minutes to heat through.) Serve tamales in husks with salsa.