Homemade Chicken Tamales Recipe

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Ingredients:

Serving

24 dried corn husks
boiling water
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 lb chicken thighs, with skin and bone
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne
1 cup (4-oz) shredded monterey jack cheese
salsa roja , recipe follows
classic southern cornbread, recipe follows
1 lb tomatillos, husks removed
10 dried chiles de arbol
1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce
1/2 medium white onion, coarsely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 cups yellow or white cornmeal , preferably stoneground
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil , preferably sunflower, plus additional for the pan

Directions:

Tamales:
To make the tamales: Place the corn husks in a large bowl and add enough boiling water to cover. Submerge in the water by weighting down with another bowl. Let stand until the husks soften, about 1 hour. Drain well and pat dry.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning once, until browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Add the onion to the fat in the skillet and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the cilantro, chili powder, cumin, salt, and cayenne. Return the chicken to the skillet and add enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 45 minutes.
Transfer the chicken to a plate. Cool until easy to handle. Discard the skin and bones and coarsely chop the meat. Transfer to a medium bowl.
Meanwhile, let the cooking liquid stand off the heat for 5 minutes. Skim off and discard the fat on the surface. Return the skillet to the stove and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the liquid is reduced to a thick glaze, about 20 minutes. Scrape the glaze onto the chicken, then add the cheese.
To make the tamales, place a corn husk on the work surface. Spread about 3 tablespoons of the Classic Cornbread batter in a 2 to 3-inch square area in the center of the husk. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of the chicken in the center of the batter and top with about 1 tablespoon of the batter. Fold the sides of the husk to enclose the batter (the tamale is now about 2 1/2 inches wide). Fold over the ends of the husk so the tamale is about 3 inches long. Place the tamale, smooth side up, on the work surface. Using kitchen twine, tie up the tamale with kitchen string, gift-box fashion. Repeat with the remaining husks, batter and chicken. (You may have some husks left over since you soaked more than you needed, in case some got torn.) Stand the tamales up, side by side, in a steamer inserted in a large pot. Add enough water to the pot to barely reach the bottom of the steamer. Cover tightly and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low. Steam the tamales until the batter is firm (open a tamale to check), about 1 hour. (The tamales can be made up to 8 hours ahead, cooled, and refrigerated. Steam over boiling water for 15 minutes to reheat.)
Serve hot, with the Salsa Roja passed on the side.
Salsa Roja:
Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the tomatillos and cook just until softened, about 10 minutes. Drain.
Heat a heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over high heat until very hot. Cook the chiles, turning frequently, until they turn a darker shade, about 3 minutes. Do not burn them. Transfer to a plate and cool. Cut open and discard the seeds and stems. (Wear plastic gloves if your hands are sensitive, and do not touch your eyes or other delicate parts of your body until you wash your hands well.)
Puree the tomatillos, chiles, tomato sauce, onion, and garlic in a blender or food processor. Season, to taste, with salt. Cool completely. (The salsa can be prepared up to 3 days ahead, covered, and refrigerated.)
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Classic Southern Cornbread Batter:
Whisk the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl to combine. Make a well in the center. Whisk the buttermilk, eggs, and oil in another bowl until the eggs are well combined. Pour into the well and stir just until the batter is moistened ? do not overbeat.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings

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Nutrition Facts

Per Serving Per 100 g

Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories	1146.59 Kcal (4801 kJ)
Calories from fat	800.18 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	88.91g	137%
Cholesterol	233.74mg	78%
Sodium	1017.78mg	42%
Potassium	968.78mg	21%
Total Carbs	62.54g	21%
Sugars	11.89g	48%
Dietary Fiber	7.96g	32%
Protein	27.2g	54%
Vitamin C	12.2mg	20%
Vitamin A	0.1mg	2%
Iron	3.4mg	19%
Calcium	271.3mg	27%

Amount Per 100 g
Calories	135.93 Kcal (569 kJ)
Calories from fat	94.86 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	10.54g	137%
Cholesterol	27.71mg	78%
Sodium	120.66mg	42%
Potassium	114.85mg	21%
Total Carbs	7.41g	21%
Sugars	1.41g	48%
Dietary Fiber	0.94g	32%
Protein	3.23g	54%
Vitamin C	1.5mg	20%
Iron	0.4mg	19%
Calcium	32.2mg	27%

* 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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