How to Make Guatemalan Tamales | Tamales Guatemaltecos | Hilah Cooking

By Hilah Cooking · 180 min

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Broil the tomatoes and garlic on a baking sheet for 10 minutes, or until very roasted.
2. Toast the dried chiles in a heavy skillet for a few seconds until fragrant. Remove the stems, cover with boiling water in a bowl, and set aside.
3. In the same dry skillet, toast the seeds and cinnamon stick for a few seconds until nutty. Transfer to a blender and pulse to a coarse powder.
4. Add the roasted tomatoes, garlic, soaked chiles (discard the soaking water), and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Blend, adding more broth if needed, until it is a thick, smooth salsa about the consistency of a milkshake.
5. Strain the salsa through a fine sieve, then simmer it in a pot with the pork strips for about 15 minutes, or longer if you like, until the pork is cooked.
6. Combine the masa harina and water in a large pot and whisk out lumps. Bring to a boil, stirring, then simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
7. Add the lard and salt, then cook over low heat for another 10 minutes, until the consistency of porridge. Set aside.
8. Cut the banana leaves into roughly 12 x 8 inch squares. Blanch them in boiling water, one at a time, for about 45 seconds each, pressing them under the water with tongs. Stack and cover with a damp cloth.
9. Lay a leaf flat and spread about 3/4 cup masa in the center. Top with about 1/4 cup salsa and a piece of pork, plus any other fillings, and spoon a little more salsa over the top.
10. Fold the side nearest you over the masa, then fold the far side toward you to form a long, narrow rectangle. Fold one short end under, lift the package like an ice cream cone and tap it gently to settle the filling, then fold the other end over.
11. If the leaf cracks, wrap the tamal in foil.
12. Line a very large pot with the leaves and add about 1 inch of water. Stack the tamales seam side down, cover tightly, and steam for 1.5 hours.
13. Let cool slightly and serve.

Summarized from Hilah Cooking's video. Watch it for the details.

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