Skillet Beef Tamales Recipes

BEEF TAMALES

Steps:

• Place beef and garlic in a large pot. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat. As soon as water boils, reduce heat to a simmer and cover pot. Let simmer for 3 1/2 hours, until beef is tender and shreds easily. When beef is done, remove from pot, reserving 5 cups cooking liquid and discarding garlic. Allow meat to cool slightly, and shred finely with forks.
• Meanwhile, place corn husks in a large container and cover with warm water. Allow to soak for 3 hours, until soft and pliable. May need to weight down with an inverted plate and a heavy can.
• Toast ancho chiles in a cast iron skillet, making sure not to burn them. Allow to cool and then remove stems and seeds. Crumble and grind in a clean coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle.
• Heat oil in a large skillet. Mix in flour and allow to brown slightly. Pour in 1 cup beef broth and stir until smooth. Mix in ground chiles, cumin seeds, ground cumin, minced garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, vinegar and salt. Stir shredded beef into skillet and cover. Let simmer 45 minutes.
• Place lard and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whip with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy. Add masa harina and beat at low speed until well mixed. Pour in reserved cooking liquid a little at a time until mixture is the consistency of soft cookie dough.
• Drain water from corn husks. One at a time, flatten out each husk, with the narrow end facing you, and spread approximately 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the top 2/3 of the husk. Spread about 1 tablespoon of meat mixture down the middle of the masa. Roll up the corn husk starting at one of the long sides. Fold the narrow end of the husk onto the rolled tamale and tie with a piece of butchers' twine.
• Place tamales in a steamer basket. Steam over boiling water for approximately one hour, until masa is firm and holds its shape. Make sure steamer does not run out of water. Serve immediately, allowing each person to unwrap their own tamales. Allow any leftovers (still in husks) to cool, uncovered, in the refrigerator.

SKILLET BEEF TAMALES

Steps:

• In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook beef and peppers over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until beef is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, breaking up beef into crumbles; drain. Stir in salsa, corn and water; bring to a boil., Stir in tortilla strips. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 10-15 minutes or until tortillas are softened. Sprinkle with cheese; cook, covered, 2-3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Serve with sour cream. Freeze option: Freeze cooled meat mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if necessary. Serve with sour cream.

SKILLET BEEF TAMALES

Steps:

• In a large non-stick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook beef and peppers over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, drain.
• Stir in the salsa, corn, and water and bring to a boil.
• Stir in tortilla strips, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until tortillas are softened.
• Sprinkle with cheese, cover and cook 2-3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
• Serve with sour cream.

HOMEMADE BEEF TAMALES

Steps:

• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add beef, green chiles, hot sauce, salt, 3 cloves garlic, onion, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir until beef is thoroughly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and reserve the drippings.
• Combine reserved drippings, masa, lard, and baking powder in a large bowl. Mix well. Add up to 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until mixture is as thick as biscuit dough. Divide into 50 equal balls. Place dough balls between 2 cutting boards each lined with a sheet of waxed paper; flatten into circles.
• Place each dough circle into a corn husk. Spoon about 3 tablespoons beef mixture in a line across the middle of each husk. Top with a small amount of cheese. Fold opposing sides of the tortilla to overlap the filling. Roll the husk around the tamale and fold in one end.
• Combine the remaining 1 clove garlic, 1 cup water, and chili powder in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring chili sauce to a boil. Remove from heat.
• Stand a batch of the tamales, folded ends-down, in a steamer basket on top of a double boiler over simmering water. Bring water to a boil; cover and steam for 20 minutes. Remove tamales from heat; remove husks and top tamales with the chili sauce. Repeat with remaining tamales.

SKILLET TAMALE PIE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat to 450 degrees F. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the ground beef, chili powder and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Continue to cook, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the beans.
• Whisk the eggs, sour cream and 1/2 cup water in a medium bowl. Add the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; stir until smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup cheddar.
• Pour the cornmeal mixture over the beef in the skillet; spread evenly. Transfer to the oven and bake until the topping is golden brown and firm, 20 to 22 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar. Switch the oven to broil; broil until the cheese is browned and bubbling, 1 to 3 minutes. Serve with sour cream.

IRON SKILLET TAMALE PIE

Steps:

• In a large ski8llet, combine ground chuck, onion, and bell pepper.
• Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned and crumbly.
• Drain well.
• Stir in enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder, and salt.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Stir in cheese. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
• Lightly grease a 10-inch cast-iron skillet.
• In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal MIX, cream-stye corn, optional green chiles, milk, oil and eggs, stirring until smooth.
• Stir in sugar and chili powder.
• Pour one-third of batter into skillet.
• Bake 10 minutes.
• Spoon meat mixture evenly over cornbread layer.
• Spoon remaining cornmeal batter evenly over meat mixture.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center of cornb read comes out clean.
• Allow to set for about 10 mnutes before cutting into wedges.