Tamales Verdes De Pollo Recipes

CHICKEN IN GREEN SALSA TAMALES

Steps:

• Cook the tomatoes, peppers, and garlic in a pot with water. Until they are cooked and tender.
• Place the tomatoes, peppers,
• and garlic in the blender and puree until smooth.
• Season with salt.
• In a large bowl beat the lard until it changes to lighter color. This can be done with the help of your mixer or by hand. Add slowly the corn masa harina, baking powder, and chicken broth. Mix well and taste to season with salt. Beat until all ingredients are well combined and the dough is light and spongy.
• Remove the husks from their package and place the husks to soak in a warm bath of water for 40 minutes. This could be done in a large pot or in your kitchen sink. This step will help to soften the husks and easily be pliable while wrapping the corn dough.
• Remove the husks from their warm bath, dry with the cloth or paper towels.
• Place the corn husk on your work surface with the wide end facing towards you. Place about 2-3 tablespoons of dough in the center but closer to the bottom of the corn husk spreading evenly. Top with 2 tablespoons of the chicken-green sauce filling in the center of the husk. Fold one side of the husk to the center and fold the other side to the center, too. Fold the bottom towards the center. Repeat process with remaining husks and filling.
• Line the tamales on a tray while you are finishing up with the rest of the assembly process. Getting your pot ready for steaming. Add 3 cups of hot water to the pot and place the steamer rack. Place a layer of corn husk on the steamer rack. (Note: you do not need to buy a tamal steamer pot if you don't have it already. Just improvise with what you already have).
• Place the tamales in a standing position.
• Cover with a layer of the corn husks and a dish towel and the pot lid. Steam for about 60 minutes in a medium heat or after taking one tamal and checking if the husk easily separates from the dough. Check during the steaming time in case the steamer need more water. Be careful while removing the lid. Serve while still hot. When done wait for 10 minutes the dough will firm up after that.
• To reheat a tamal I use the convenience of the microwave. It just needs 1 minute in high per tamal. You can also steam it again to warm it up and the other option is to place it on a hot griddle turning 2 or 3 times until warm.

TAMALES DE POLLO CON CHILE VERDE- GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TAMALES

Steps:

• Preparing the cornhusks. Cover the husks with very hot water, weight with a plate to keep them submerged, and let stand for a couple of hours until the husks are pliable.
• Preparing the filling: On a baking sheet, roast the tomatillos about 4 inches below a very hot broiler until soft (they'll blacken in spots), about 5 minutes; flip them over and roast the other side. Cool and transfer to a food processor or blender, along with all the delicious juice that has run onto the baking sheet. Add the chiles and garlic and process to a smooth puree. Heat the oil in a medium-size saucepan over medium high. When quite hot, add the puree all at once and stir until noticeably thicker and darker, about 5 minutes.(I cover the pot with a splatter screen) Add 2 cups of the broth and simmer over medium heat (I use high heat) until thick enough to coat a spoon quite heavily, at least 10 minutes. I keep it simmering while I shred the chicken. (If you are making a double batch of the recipe, make sure to cook the filling for a longer amount of time.) Taste and season highly with salt, usually about 2 teaspoons. Stir in the chicken and cilantro; cool completely.
• Preparing the batter: With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the lard or shortening with 2 teaspoons salt and the baking powder until light in texture, about 1 minute. Continue beating as you add the masa (fresh or reconstituted) in three additions. Reduce the speed to medium-low and add 1 cup of the remaining broth. Continue beating for another minute or so, until a ½-teaspoon dollop of the batter floats in a cup of cold water (if it floats you can be sure the tamales will be tender and light). Beat in enough of the remaining ½ cup of broth to give the mixture the consistency of soft (not runny) cake batter; it should hold its shape in a spoon. Taste the batter and season with additional salt if you think it needs some. For the lightest textured tamales, refrigerate the batter for an hour or so, then rebeat, adding a little more broth or water to bring the mixture to the soft consistency it had before.
• For forming the tamales, separate out 24 of the largest and most pliable husks-ones that are at least 6 inches across on the wider end and 6 or 7 inches long. If you can't find enough good ones, overlap some of the large ones to give wide, sturdy surfaces to spread the batter on. Pat the chosen husks dry with a towel.
• Forming the tamales. Cut twenty-four 8- to 10-inch pieces of string or thin strips of cornhusks. One at a time, form the tamales: Lay out one of your chosen cornhusks with the tapering end toward you. Spread about ¼ cup of the batter into about a 4-inch square, leaving at least a 1 ½-inch border on the side toward you and a ¾-inch border along the other sides (with large husks, the borders will be much bigger). Spoon about 1 ½ tablespoons of the filling down the center of the batter. Pick up the two long sides of the cornhusk and bring them together (this will cause the batter to surround the filling). If the uncovered borders of the two long sides you're holding are narrow, tuck one side under the other; if wide, roll both sides in the same direction around the tamal. (If the husk is small, you may feel more comfortable wrapping the tamal in a second husk.) Finally, fold up the empty 1 ½-inch section of the husk (to form a tightly closed "bottom" leaving the top open), and secure it in place by loosely tying one of the strings or strips of husk around the tamal. As they're made, stand the tamales on their folded bottoms in the prepared steamer. Don't tie the tamales too tightly or pack them too closely in the steamer. They need room to expand.
• Setting up the steamer. Steaming 24 husk-wrapped tamales can be done in batches in a collapsible vegetable steamer set into a large, deep saucepan. To steam them all at once, you need something like the kettle-size tamal steamers used in Mexico or Asian stack steamers, or you can improvise by setting a wire rack on 4 coffee or custard cups in a large kettle. It is best to line the rack or upper part of the steamer with leftover cornhusks to protect the tamales from direct contact with the steam and to add more flavor. Make sure to leave tiny spaces between the husks so condensing steam can drain off.
• Steaming and serving the tamales: When all the tamales are in the steamer, cover them with a layer of leftover cornhusks; if your husk-wrapped tamales don't take up the entire steamer, fill in the open spaces with loosely wadded aluminum foil (to keep the tamales from falling over). Set the lid in place and steam over a constant medium heat for about 1 ¼ hours. (depending on the size of the tamales you make, it can take up to 4 hours). Watch carefully that all the water doesn't boil away and, to keep the steam steady, pour boiling water into the pot when more is necessary. Tamales are done when the husk peels away from the masa easily. Let tamales stand in the steamer off the heat for a few minutes to firm up. For the best textured tamales, let them cool completely, then re-steam about 15 minutes to heat through.

TAMAL VERDE DE POLLO (TAMAL WITH "SALSA VERDE" AND CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Soak the corn husks in warm water until soft, about 2 hours.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the lard, baking powder, and salt and beat until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and fold in the masa harina and chicken stock. Using a rubber spatula, beat the dough until you can form a little ball that will float in cold water.
• Arrange a softened corn husk on a work surface and spread with a thin layer of masa dough. Add a spoonful of Salsa Verde and some chicken. Fold the husks in thirds, as if folding a letter, then tuck the ends under. Continue filling and folding the remaining the tamales.
• Fill a large steamer or tamalera with salted water to just below the steamer rack and bring to a boil. Arrange the tamales in a crisscross pattern on the rack, leaving enough space between them to allow steam to circulate. Steam the tamales for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Let rest for 30 minutes before serving.

TAMALES VERDES DE POLLO

Steps:

• Remoja las hojas de elote en agua caliente 30 min. Mientras tanto, haz hervir el agua y las hojas de tomatillo en una cacerola. Deshazte de las hojas de tomatillo; reserva el agua del tomatillo. Mezcla el pollo y la salsa. Mezcla la masa harina, el polvo para hornear, la manteca, el caldo de pollo y el agua del tomatillo que reservaste hasta formar una masa dura.
• Arma los tamales esparciendo aproximadamente 1/4 taza de la masa para tamales de modo que formes un rectángulo de 3x2 pulgs. en el centro de cada una de las 16 hojas de elote y que dejes sin nada 2 pulgs. en la parte superior de las hojas; cubre la masa de cada hoja con 1 hoja de epazote, 2 cdas. de queso y 1/4 taza de la mezcla de pollo. Dobla cada hoja por los lados y por uno de sus extremos para envolver el relleno.
• Coloca los tamales en la tamalera con los extremos abiertos hacia arriba; ponles encima el resto de las hojas de elote. Pon la tapa. Agregando más agua o ajustando el calor según sea necesario para mantener un hervor suave. Cocina los tamales al vapor 1 hora o hasta que se separen de las hojas. Deja enfriar los tamales un poco antes de servirlos.

RED CHICKEN TAMALES (TAMALES ROJOS DE POLLO)

Steps:

• Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for a few hours. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
• Place chicken in a pot, season with salt, and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain chicken and shred with 2 forks.
• Heat a griddle over medium heat and toast ancho and mulato chiles until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Place in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak until soft, about 25 minutes. Combine ancho and mulato chiles, garlic, cumin seeds, and about 1/2 cup of the soaking water in a blender; blend until a thick, smooth, mole-like sauce forms, adding more water if necessary.
• Heat 1 tablespoon lard in a saucepan over medium heat and add the sauce; cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Add shredded chicken and cook until flavors are combined and chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Place remaining lard in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Add masa harina, chicken broth, baking powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoon salt, and beat until all ingredients are well combined. Test if the masa is ready by dropping a small ball of masa into a glass of cold water; if it floats, it's ready, if not, keep working the dough a little longer.
• Select 1 wide corn husk. Spread about 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the the corn husk, filling it up to 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Add 1 tablespoon of the chicken filling in the center of the masa mixture. Fold sides of husk together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the 2 folded sides. Repeat with remaining husks.
• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up and cook until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 1 hour. Let tamales rest for 15 minutes before serving.

TAMALES DE POLLO - CHICKEN TAMALES

Steps:

• Preparing the corn husks:.
• Remove the corn husks from their package.
• Place into a large bowl and pour boiling water over them.
• Since they will float, to keep them submerged, set another bowl full of water on top of them.
• Leave for several hours or overnight.
• Chicken Tamale Filling:.
• Heat oil in a large heavy skillet and saute the yellow onions, garlic, green onions, tomatillos, bell pepper, and all chiles, until they are soft and hot but not yet beginning to brown.
• Add the chicken meat, cilantro, chili seasoning, lime juice and zest, and sugar.
• Stir well.
• Add enough chicken stock, broth or bouillon to stand at least an inch deep over the top of the ingredients.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a rapid simmer and then add salt and pepper to taste and adjust seasonings.
• You may wish to add more sugar and lime juice or a pinch of dry chili flakes if you want a bit more heat.
• Cool and use to make tamales now or freeze for use later.
• Basic Tamale Dough:.
• Mix the masa, baking powder, salt, and cumin thoroughly together.
• In another bowl, beat the butter and fat together until very light and creamy, about 5 minutes.
• Gradually beat in 3 tbsp of masa mixture, then 3 tbsp water until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
• Continue beating in the masa and water, alternately, until the dough is very smooth and of spreading consistency, about 5 minutes.
• Cooking and Making the Tamales:.
• When ready to begin folding your tamales, remove the corn husks from the water, drain, and pat dry.
• Put in a plastic bag to stay moist and remove only a few at a time as you need them.
• Lay one corn husk on a flat surface in front of you.
• Put about a tbsp of prepared masa dough on the corn husk and flatten with the back of the spoon.
• The dough should be no more than 1/4 inch thick.
• Leave at least a 1/2 inch border on each long side of the corn husk that has no masa and at least 1-1/2 inches at the top and bottom.
• Put about a tbsp of the chicken filling in a line down the center of the masa.
• Bring the 2 long sides of the corn husk over the masa and filling and overlap them a bit.
• Then fold the two ends over.
• You may leave the tamale like this and simply put it in the steamer, folded side down or you may use thin strips of corn husk or thin kitchen twine to tie them shut.
• The most convenient way to cook tamales is a conventional steamer. However, you can improvise.
• Fill the bottom of the steamer with water up to the level indicated and bring to a boil.
• Line the top of the steamer with corn husks, covering the bottom and sides well.
• Stack the tamales upright, with the tied down flaps upwards.
• For the best results they should be packed firmly but not tightly, because the husks swell out as the dough cooks.
• Cover the tamales with more corn husks.
• Cover the top of the steamer with a thick cloth (a piece of old toweling is best) to absorb condensation.
• Cover the steamer with a tight fitting lid.
• Let the tamales cook for about 2-1/2 to 3 hours over a medium flame.
• Keep the water bubbling, but not boiling violently.
• To test the tamales for doneness, remove one from the center, and one from the side of the steamer.
• As you open the husk, the dough should come away easily from the husk and be completely smooth.
• Once cooked, tamales are very good tempered.
• They are great to eat right away and they also do very well being gently reheated in an ungreased frying pan.
• Just keep turning them so that they are heated through evenly and the husk browns but does not burn.
• They can be refrigerated and will keep well stored that way for about a week.
• However, it is best to freeze them.
• To reheat, they can be wrapped in foil, put into a 350°F oven still frozen, and heated through for about 30 minutes.

TAMALES VERDES

Steps:

• For the filling, place husks in a large bowl. Add water to cover, and set aside to soften.
• In a large saucepan, combine the tomatillos, jalapeño peppers and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender, and add salt, garlic, onion and cumin. Blend until puréed. Return the mixture to the pot, and place over medium heat. Add the lard, cook for 5 to 7 minutes until fully melted, then remove from heat and set aside.
• For the masa, combine the masa mix with the melted lard, baking powder, salt and chicken broth in a large bowl. Knead dough until soft, 10 to 20 minutes.
• To finish and steam: Fill the bottom of a steamer with about 2 inches of water. Line the bottom of the insert with a layer of corn husks.
• In a corn husk, place about a handful of masa. Spread with 3 tablespoons of the sauce and some shredded chicken. Fold in the sides of each husk, and fold the pointed side up, leaving one end open. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Stand the filled husks in the steamer with the open ends up.
• Cover the tops with a layer of additional corn husks, and cover the pot tightly with foil and a lid. Steam until the tamales release easily from the husks, 45 minutes to 1 hour; add water to the bottom of the pan as necessary so it doesn't run dry, and be careful not to overcook.

MEXICAN CHICKEN TAMALES/ TAMALES DE POLLO

Steps:

• 1. If you are planning to make these tamales it is a good idea a month or two in advance to start collecting all the skin from the chicken that you purchase and freeze in baggies. The flavor from the the fat of the rendered chicken skin is amazing ask any Jewish delicatessen. Delicious...When you have a sizeable amount about a pound or two take out defrost put into a large fry pan and slowely fry on medium until all of the fat has rendered out. Save the fat in a jar and store in a cool dry place until ready to use prefably in the fridge. The little cracklins or fried up chicken skin are super delish. If you are lucky enough to live in New York City you can find the chicken fat in jars ready to cook with. On to the chicken. Put the giblets, and chicken parts into a very large soup pot add the water, onion, spice cloves, (2 only) bay leaf, cilantro, garlic and salt bring to a gentle boil. When boiling reduce heat and cook for 2 hours until chicken if falling of the bone. Shut off heat and let cool this should be done the day before. When cool enough to handle remove chicken from bone discard skin and bones and livers. Shredd chicken and dice giblets store in a large container and set aside in the refrigerator. When the chicken broth is cool enough to handle strain and store in the fridge as well there should be enough for at least 6 to 8 cups. If you are going to be short you can add store bought broth such as college Inn or Swanson. Note: If you are planning to make your tamales today then clean and remove all the corn silk from the corn husks now and put into a deep pot with very hot water to soak. weight them down with a heavy object so the will be under water. Leave saoking until ready fore use. About forty to fifty large corn husks should be enough soaking. If you will be making the tamales tomorrow then do this step firt before anything else. soaking the husks first & leave in the water until ready for use.
• 2. The Sauce, rinse and dry tomatoes. Take a large cookie sheet spray pam or spread a little canola oil on the cookie sheet. Rub tomatoes with a little canola oil and put under the broiler. I know I did not mention this in the ingredients but sometimes I take one medium seeded jalapeno and char with the tomatoes just for a little kick (only one)You can also char your 3 large poblano peppers at this time with the tomatoes. Sometimes depending on the weather i will char everything out on my grill. Turning until I have an even char on all the veggies. when done seperate the tomatoes from the poblanos cover the poblanos and let them sweat for a while like 30 minutes. Take your tomatoes skin and all and put into a blender with the garlic and the spices and jalapeno if using, and blend until you have a nice semi smooth sauce. Now into a deep fry pan or deep pot heat your chicken fat and add your sliced onions saute until translucent about 4 minutes. Next add the blended sauce and saute on medium high heat until somewhat reduced. Season again after tasting the sauce salt and pepper and add your shredded chicken. I like to add a little more cumin powder, and garlic powder to this just a sprinkle for added flavor even though i do not have the extra spice sprinkle in the above ingredients recipe. Thats just the way I cook. After the 30 minutes have passed take out the sweated poblanos carefully remove the chared skin and slice open remove the seeds and the core. Slice each poblano into 8 strips and set aside. To make the removal of the charred skin a little easier use a paper towel and wipe the skin away ferom the pepper. Do not rinse under water. you will wash away the delicious grilled flavor of the pepper. Save for the assemble of the tamales.
• 3. Mixing the Masa. If you have a heavy duty electric mixer such as an artisan mixer by Kitchen Aide use your dough hook. First beat the lard or chicken fat fora about 4 or 5 minutes it is good to beat enough air into the fat.(It makes for a fluffier tamale) The lard will turn an off white when this happens begin to add the masa or maseca alternately with very warm cupfulls of the strained chicken broth do this until your masa is of a thick creamy consistency like a thick creamy polenta. The masa or Maseca corn mixture should be tasted to see if it has enough salt. Set aside you are now eady to assemble your tamales.
• 4. Making the tamales. Remove your husks from the soaking water and towel blot dry. Cover with dish towels so they do not dry out. Take a butter knife and spread a fairly good tablespoon and a half of masa on a corn husk. spread to the bottom half of the husk leaving the the top half that looks like a triangle clean. Spread as if spreading a little less than a 1/4 inch of masa on the corn husk. Do not spread all the way to the ends leave a little space on each side. Next take a nice size heaping tablespoon of warm chicken sauce with chicken and lay down the middle of the or center of the husk be generous putting enough chicken and sauce in the tamale. Now take one slice of you prepaired poblano stips and lay across the chicken. Fold one side of the husk over the other so that the masea is completely coverd then take the top part (the pointed end and fold back down behind the back of the tamale. This will secure the tamale and less chance of it opening. lay seam down until you have done all of them this way. Stack the tamales in a tamle steamer or a pot fitted with an inverted bowl on the botton and a multi preforated pie tin or circular preforated screen to stack your tamales on. I remeber my grandmother improvising and setting a large mug in the middle of the screen and stacking the tamales open end always standing up and leaning a little to a slant against the mug and positioning all her tamales in a cicular position around the mug. She always made sure the water was very hot water almost boiling in the bottom of the pot or steamer. Remember these tamales never touch the water they steam and never get emersed in water. Steam for about an hour and 15 minutes Test to see if the tamales are done if the dough seperates easy from the husk the tamles are done. Freeze in bags of 6 or 12. They freeze well. To re heat frozen tamales steam again in a steamer for 15 to 20 minutes or heat in the microwave. Enjoy.
• 5. PS I have no photo of these at this time. I have not made since last year. When I make I will upload a picture of them. They look almost exactly as the pork tamales i have posted only these are made with chicken and the sauce is not as dark as the pork tamales. ood luck everyone. Enjoy.

TAMALES VERDES DE POLLO

Steps:

• Cook chilies in a saucepan of boiling water for 4 minutes.
• Add the tomatillos and cook 2 more minutes; drain and transfer to a blender.
• Add garlic and chicken stock to the blender; puree.
• Add the cilantro and process briefly.
• Heat the oil; add onion and sauté until transparent.
• Add the tomatillo puree to the onions and cook over high heat for 5 minutes.
• Add the chicken to the sauce; stir and cover; cook over low heat for 5 more minutes.
• Add salt to taste (if the mixture is too thick, thin with a little chicken stock); set aside.
• Spread out a corn husk and place 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of masa on it; either flatten it with your hand or spread it evenly so that it covers a 2 by 3 inch square, leaving a 1 inch border on all sides.
• Place 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture on top of the masa.
• Roll the husk up length wise; fold up the bottom.
• Set the tamales upright in your steamer basket and slightly inclined so that the tamales don't slip to the bottom.
• As soon as the water in your steamer comes to a boil, lower the heat, cover and cook for 1 hour (or 25 minutes in a pressure cooker) or until the masa does not stick to the husk when unrolled.
• To freeze for another time, leave in their husks and seal them in a freezer bag; re-heat by either re-steaming them or microwaving them until hot.

TAMALES DE POLLO (CHIPOTLE CHICKEN TAMALES)

Steps:

• Place the corn husks in a large bowl and add enough warm water to cover. Weigh down with a plate if needed and soak until softened, at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.
• Meanwhile, whisk the harina de maíz nixtamalizado, salt and baking powder in a large bowl. Add the lard and rub into the dry ingredients with your fingers until thoroughly incorporated and the mixture is sandy. Add 2 1/2 cups broth, 1/2 cup at a time, and mix and knead in each addition with your hands until fully incorporated before adding the next. The dough should be soft and tacky but not sticky. If needed, continue adding broth 1/4 cup at a time, kneading well after each addition.
• To assemble a tamal, remove a husk from the water and pat dry. Use your fingers or a palette knife to spread a handful of masa (about 1/4 cup) in the center of the husk, covering about two-thirds of the husk with masa about 1/4-inch thick. Leave at least 3 inches clear at the pointed end and at least an inch on the other sides. Put 1 heaping spoonful of the chicken tinga filling lengthwise down the center of the masa. Wrap by bringing the right side of the dough over the filling and folding in half. Continue rolling tightly to the long end of the husk, then fold the pointed bottom end over the tamal towards the open top. Set aside folded ends down. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• Prepare a large steamer by setting a steamer insert or rack above gently boiling water. Stack the tamales flat seam side down on the insert, leaving an empty space in the center. Cover with remaining husks, then the lid. Steam, replenishing the water as needed, until the tamales are firm and the masa comes away easily from the husk, about 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm in the steamer until ready to serve. Steamed and cooled tamales can be wrapped individually and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and steam until heated through to serve.

GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TAMALES (TAMALES CON SALSA VERDE Y POLLO)

Steps:

• For filling:
• Place husks in large pot or large bowl; add water to cover. Place heavy plate on husks to keep submerged. Let stand until husks soften, turning occasionally, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
• Preheat broiler. Line heavy baking sheet with foil. Arrange tomatillos on prepared sheet. Broil until tomatillos blacken in spots, turning once, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer tomatillos and any juices on sheet to processor and cool. Add chiles and garlic to processor and blend until smooth puree forms. Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add tomatillo puree and boil 5 minutes, stirring often. Add broth. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until sauce coats spoon thickly and is reduced to 1 cup, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Season with salt. Mix in chicken and cilantro. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• For dough:
• Using electric mixer, beat lard (with salt and baking powder, if using) in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in fresh masa or masa harina mixture in 4 additions. Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups broth, forming tender dough. If dough seems firm, beat in enough broth, 2 tablespoons at a time, to soften.
• Fill bottom of pot with steamer insert with enough water (about 2 inches) to reach bottom of insert. Line bottom of insert with some softened corn husks. Tear 3 large husks into 1/4-inch-wide strips to use as ties and set aside. Open 2 large husks on work surface. Spread 1/4 cup dough in 4-inch square in center of each, leaving 2- to 3-inch plain border at narrow end of husk. Spoon heaping tablespoon filling in strip down center of each dough square. Fold long sides of husk and dough over filling to cover. Fold up narrow end of husk. Tie folded portion with strip of husk to secure, leaving wide end of tamale open. Stand tamales in steamer basket. Repeat with more husks, dough, and filling until all filling has been used. If necessary to keep tamales upright in steamer, insert pieces of crumpled foil between them.
• Bring water in pot to boil. Cover pot and steam tamales until dough is firm to touch and separates easily from husk, adding more water to pot as necessary, about 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool 1 hour. Cover and chill. Before serving, re-steam tamales until hot, about 35 minutes.)