ucalorie Tamales are a beloved Mexican dish made with masa (corn dough) and filled with a variety of ingredients. In this Pork Tamales Recipe, tender shredded pork is combined with traditional spices and wrapped in a soft masa, then steamed in corn husks for a delicious, savory treat. This recipe is perfect for anyone who loves the rich, bold flavors of Mexican cuisine and wants to try making tamales from scratch. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a hearty meal, this Pork Tamales recipe is sure to impress!
Ingredients of Pork tamales recipes:
For the Masa (Corn Dough):
- Masa (1 cup / 128g)
- Calories: ~455
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 6g
- Lard (1/4 cup / 13g)
- Calories: ~115
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Chicken Broth (1/2 cup / 120ml)
- Calories: ~10
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Baking Powder (1 1/2 teaspoons)
- Calories: ~5
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Salt (1 1/2 teaspoons)
- Calories: 0
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
Pork Filling:
- Shredded Pork (3 oz / 85g, cooked and shredded)
- Calories: ~206
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Chili Powder (1 tablespoon / 8g)
- Calories: ~24
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 2g
- Garlic (2 cloves / 6g, minced)
- Calories: ~10
- Protein: 0.5g
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Salt (1 teaspoon / 6g)
- Calories: 0
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
For Wrapping:
- Corn Husks (20-30 husks, soaked)
- Calories: 0
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
Instructions:
1: Prepare the Masa
- In a large bowl, combine masa, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the lard and chicken broth, stirring until the mixture forms a smooth dough. If it’s too dry, add a little more broth.
- Test the masa by rolling a small ball and dropping it in water. If it floats, it’s ready.
2: Prepare the Pork Filling
- In a skillet, heat some oil and sauté garlic for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the shredded pork, chili powder, and salt. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes, then set aside to cool.
3: Prepare the Corn Husks
- Soak corn husks in warm water for 30 minutes, then pat them dry.
4: Assemble the Tamales
- Lay a soaked corn husk flat, with the wide end facing you.
- Spread about 2 tablespoons of masa onto the husk, leaving some space on the sides.
- Add 2 tablespoons of the pork filling on top of the masa.
- Fold the sides of the husk inward and then fold the bottom up to seal the tamale.
5: Steam the Tamales
- Set up a steamer or tamale pot. Fill the bottom with water, but do not let it touch the tamales.
- Place the tamales upright, with the open end facing up.
- Cover and steam for 1.5-2 hours, checking water levels every 30 minutes.
6: Serve
- Let the tamales cool for a few minutes before serving.
Total Calorie Breakdown:
For 1 tamale (approximate, based on a serving size of 1 tamale with 3 oz pork filling):
- Calories: ~300-350
- Protein: 14-16g
- Fat: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3-4g
Conclusion:
In conclusion, making Pork Tamales is a delightful and rewarding experience that celebrates Mexican culinary traditions. The combination of tender masa, flavorful shredded pork, and spices like chili powder and garlic creates a satisfying, rich dish that can be enjoyed by all. While the preparation may seem involved, the process of assembling the tamales and steaming them to perfection is well worth the effort. The result is a delicious, hearty meal that captures the essence of Mexican flavors. With around 300-350 calories per tamale, you can easily adjust the recipe to suit your dietary needs by modifying ingredients like lard or the pork filling.
