Tamales have always been special to me. They make me think of my mom; a tradition she began, at Christmas when I was young. Tamales are also important, in Mexico during the holidays. Families and friends come together to make large quantities of tamales; the process of hand crafting them is equally as meaningful as the day they are eaten.
Memories are made as you work together in the kitchen. Stories are shared. Old times are re-lived.
This Thanksgiving, Sammy and I were blessed by having three of our friends, whom we know from Salt Lake City, come and spend the holiday with us. An unforgettable day together. None of us really knowing how to make tamales, but that wasn't important. It was the time we spent together. And in the end, the tamales turned out rather good, for a first attempt.
Memories are made as you work together in the kitchen. Stories are shared. Old times are re-lived.
This Thanksgiving, Sammy and I were blessed by having three of our friends, whom we know from Salt Lake City, come and spend the holiday with us. An unforgettable day together. None of us really knowing how to make tamales, but that wasn't important. It was the time we spent together. And in the end, the tamales turned out rather good, for a first attempt.
Fluff the lard
 Clean the Banana Leaves With Water |  Cut the Banana Leaves Tamale Size |
Dry the Leaves by Briefly Putting on a Skillet (this will allow them to be folded)
Getting ready to fill the tamales
Spicy pumpkin black bean, chicken with mole, and green bean casserole tamales! Que Rico!
2 hours of steaming
Pause: 'Margaritas in your Boca'!
Lots of time to kill while waiting for the tamales to steam. Can't leave the house because we need to keep adding water. Not sure if they will be good enough to eat....
.... Better drink some really good tequila!
The tradition of 'Margaritas in Your Mouth' began several years back at my Brighton Birthday Party Weekends. We would rent rooms at Brighton Resort and get our friends together to ski and board; since most of them typically skied at a different resort. Being that my friends were here, in Mexico, on vacation; it only seemed appropriate to continue the tradition.
.... Better drink some really good tequila!
The tradition of 'Margaritas in Your Mouth' began several years back at my Brighton Birthday Party Weekends. We would rent rooms at Brighton Resort and get our friends together to ski and board; since most of them typically skied at a different resort. Being that my friends were here, in Mexico, on vacation; it only seemed appropriate to continue the tradition.
| Tamale Dough 1 1/3 Cups Lard 5 Cups Maseca Masa Pinch of salt & chili powder 2 Cubes Broth 2 tsp Baking Powder 1/2 Cup Corn Oil We did not use exact measurements; rather combined all ingredients until mixture was a sticky peanut butter consistency. | Fillings Pumpkin, Black Bean, and Jalapeño Shredded Chicken Green Bean Casserole Cranberry Chocolate Mole Green Mole Cook the fillings before placing in the tamales to be steamed. |
Fluff the lard in a mixture before slowly adding all other dough ingredients.
Happy Thanksgiving from Mexico!
Hoping to have a second annual Thanksgiving, Tequila & Friends Holiday, next year!....Anyone interested?
