Good Eats Hot Tamales (Alton Brown 2009) Recipe

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Good Eats Hot Tamales (Alton Brown 2009)
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Ingredients
20
Count
Nutrition
1754
Calories
Total time
240
Minutes
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Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. MEAT FILLING: In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, kosher salt, paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper and cumin. Divide the mixture in half and reserve 1 half for later use.
  2. Cut the Boston butt into 6 even pieces and place into a 6 to 8-quart saucepan. Add half of the spice mixture and enough water, 3 to 3 1/2 quarts, to completely cover the meat. Set over high heat, cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the meat is very tender and falling apart, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
  3. Remove the meat from the cooking liquid to a cutting board. Leave the cooking liquid in the pot. Both meat and liquid need to cool slightly before making dough and handling. Remove any large pieces of fat and shred the meat into small pieces, pulling apart with your hands or using 2 forks.
  4. Place a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Once shimmering, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are semi-translucent, approximately 3 minutes.
  5. Add the garlic, jalapeno, and remaining half of the spice mixture and continue to cook for another minute. Add the meat (and tomato paste if desired) and cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  6. WRAPPERS: While the meat is cooking, place the husks in a large bowl or container and submerge completely in hot water. Soak the husks until they are soft and pliable, at least 45 minutes and up to 2 hours.
  7. DOUGH: Place the cornmeal, salt, and baking powder into a large mixing bowl and combine. Add the lard and using your hands, knead together until the lard is well incorporated into the dry mixture. Gradually add enough of the reserved cooking liquid, 3 to 4 cups to create a dough that is like thick mashed potatoes. The dough should be moist but not wet. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and set aside until ready to use.
  8. ASSEMBLY: Remove a corn husks from the water and pat dry to remove excess water. Working in batches of 6, lay the husks on a towel and spread about 2 tablespoons of the dough in an even layer across the wide end of the husk to within 1/2-inch of the edges. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture in a line down the center of the dough. Roll the husk so the dough surrounds the meat, then fold the bottom under to finish creating the tamale. Repeat until all husks, dough and filling are used. Tie the tamales, around the center, individually or in groups of 3, with kitchen twine.
  9. TO COOK TAMALES: Stand the tamales upright on their folded ends, tightly packed together, in the same saucepan used to cook the meat. Add the reserved broth from making the dough and any additional water so the liquid comes to 1-inch below the tops of the tamales. Do not pour the broth into the tops of the tamales. Cover, and simmer until the dough is firm and pulls away easily from the husk, about 30-60 minutes (Alton says 2 hrs, but ours were done much sooner).
  10. SAUCE: To make a wet sauce to serve with the tamales, after removing them from the broth, add a little tomato paste (about 3 oz) to the broth and simmer till thickened.
  11. STORING TAMALES: Tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, in the freezer, for up to a month. To reheat, remove the plastic wrap and steam until heated through (we used a steamer basket in the microwave and they were done in 8 minutes, so it makes a great quick munchie snack). :).
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Nutrition Facts

Per ServingPer 100 g
Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories 1754.36 Kcal (7345 kJ)
Calories from fat 912.59 Kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 101.4g 156%
Cholesterol 184.74mg 62%
Sodium 1759.17mg 73%
Potassium 2285.41mg 49%
Total Carbs 161.75g 54%
Sugars 7.17g 29%
Dietary Fiber 19.7g 79%
Protein 61.59g 123%
Vitamin C 11.3mg 19%
Vitamin A 0.2mg 6%
Iron 11.6mg 64%
Calcium 281.5mg 28%
Amount Per 100 g
Calories 304.18 Kcal (1274 kJ)
Calories from fat 158.23 Kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17.58g 156%
Cholesterol 32.03mg 62%
Sodium 305.02mg 73%
Potassium 396.26mg 49%
Total Carbs 28.05g 54%
Sugars 1.24g 29%
Dietary Fiber 3.42g 79%
Protein 10.68g 123%
Vitamin C 2mg 19%
Iron 2mg 64%
Calcium 48.8mg 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Find out how many calories should you eat.

Tastes

  • salty
  • savory
  • bitter
  • sweet
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Recipe Tags

Weightwatchers Points

  • 42.7
    Points
  • 48
    PointsPlus

Good Points

  • saturated fat free,
  • good source of fiber

Bad Points

  • High in Sodium,
  • High in Total Fat

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