Turkey Tamales (Alton Brown) Recipe

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Turkey Tamales (Alton Brown)
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Ingredients
17
Count
Nutrition
3550
Calories
Total time
300
Minutes
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Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. For the meat filling:
  2. For the wrappers:
  3. For the dough:
  4. For the meat filling:
  5. Place chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, black pepper and turkey legs into a 6-quart pot and add enough water to completely cover the meat, approximately 2 1/2 quarts. Cover, place over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the meat is very tender and falling apart, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove the meat from the water to a cutting board, and set aside to cool. Leave the cooking liquid in the pot. Once the turkey legs are cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bone and shred, discarding any skin or cartilage. 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 2 minutes. Add the garlic and chili and continue to cook for another minute. Add the meat and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking liquid and cook until heated through and the liquid has evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside until ready to assemble.
  6. For the wrappers:
  7. 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. If you have an electric kettle, place the husks in the kettle, fill with water and turn on. Once the kettle turns off, allow the husks to sit for 1 hour in the hot water.
  8. For the dough:
  9. Place the masa, 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, 2 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.
  10. To assemble the tamales:
  11. Remove a corn husk from the water and pat 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 2 teaspoons of the meat mixture in a line down the center of the dough. Roll the husk so the dough surrounds the meat and fold the bottom under to finish creating the tamale. Repeat until all the husks, dough and filling are used. Tie the tamales, around the center, individually or in groups of 3, with kitchen twine.
  12. To steam the tamales:
  13. Place a steamer basket in the bottom of an 11-quart pot and add enough water to come to the bottom of the basket. Stand the tamales close together on their folded ends and lean them in towards the center, away from the sides of the pot. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat, then cover and reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Check the water level every 15 to 20 minutes, and add boiling water by pouring down the side of the pot, if necessary. Steam until the dough is firm and pulls away from the husk easily, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  14. Serve warm. Store leftover 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.
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Nutrition Facts

Per ServingPer 100 g
Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories 3549.7 Kcal (14862 kJ)
Calories from fat 1306.56 Kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 145.17g 223%
Cholesterol 633.23mg 211%
Sodium 3107.38mg 129%
Potassium 3155.57mg 67%
Total Carbs 81.34g 27%
Sugars 2.79g 11%
Dietary Fiber 10.65g 43%
Protein 172.1g 344%
Vitamin C 4.7mg 8%
Iron 19.2mg 107%
Calcium 531.6mg 53%
Amount Per 100 g
Calories 212.87 Kcal (891 kJ)
Calories from fat 78.35 Kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8.71g 223%
Cholesterol 37.97mg 211%
Sodium 186.35mg 129%
Potassium 189.24mg 67%
Total Carbs 4.88g 27%
Sugars 0.17g 11%
Dietary Fiber 0.64g 43%
Protein 10.32g 344%
Vitamin C 0.3mg 8%
Iron 1.2mg 107%
Calcium 31.9mg 53%

* 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

  • 82.3
    Points
  • 61
    PointsPlus

Good Points

  • saturated fat free,
  • sugar free

Bad Points

  • High in Sodium,
  • High in Total Fat

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