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Originally Posted by SALYBOW
Stupid question... what is in a tamal?
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Salybow, the filling is traditionally a mixture of shredded chicken or pork cooked with onions, red or green chili peppers, and spices. Masa dough is spread onto corn husks, the filling is added, then they are folded up and steamed until firm (which cooks the masa.) I like a thin masa, which is why I prefer homemade...what you get in Mexican restaurants is typically 90% masa and 10% filling. Might as well be eating cornbread.
My ex's mother was from Mexico. Making tamales was a Christmas tradition and a big and labor-intense venture. Wish I had paid more attention to how the filling was made...my job was to spread the masa dough on the husks. Christmas breakfast was fried eggs, fried potatoes, refried beans and tamales...unbelievably good and most unhealthy!