Pork Tamales

Before tackling tamales, keep in mind that they are NOT hard to make, they are TIME CONSUMING.  The process takes hours. That said, they are well worth it.

Ingredients:
5 lbs. of pork shoulder/pork butt
2 bay leaves
1 bag of corn husks
1 bag chilies (the green bag @ Fry's seem to be the best)
2-3 cloves garlic
1 t. salt
6 c. Maseca
6 c. chicken broth
2 c. vegetable oil
3 t. baking powder
3 t. salt
Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (optional)
Jalapenos, sliced (optional)

Directions:
Cooking the Pork:

1. Put the pork in the crock pot with bay leaves.  
2. Cook on high, overnight the night before you plan on making your tamales.
3. The pork is ready when it shreds easily; you should be able to pull the bone out easily.

Soak the Corn Husks:

1. Fill one side of your clean kitchen sink with cold water.
2. Clean off any corn silk from the husks and separate them (try not to tear them as you separate them)
3. Put the corn husks in the cold water.
4. The husks will tend to float.  I usually weigh them down with a glass measuring cup.  This is not necessary, just a tip I use.
5. Soak for 30-40 minutes.

Make the Chili Sauce:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Remove the stem from each individual chili and sake out the seeds from the inside.
3. Once the stems and seeds are removed, put the chilies in the boiling pot of water.
4. Boil the chilies until they are soft and a bright pink, about 10 minutes.
5. Transfer the chilies to the blender, add 2-3 cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and some of the chili water.
6. Blend the chili mixture.
7. Add more chili water if needed.  The goal is to have a nice consistency that is not too thick, yet not too runny.
8. Pour the chili mixture into a strainer and strain into a bowl.  You may need to take the back of a spoon and force the liquid through.  Straining is not required, but I like my chili sauce smooth and free of the "skin" particles.

Make the Masa Mixture

1. In a large bowl, mix Maseca, chicken broth, vegetable oil, baking powder, and 3 teaspoons salt.
2. Stir until everything is well blended.  It should be a nice consistency, not too thin, but not too pasty.  Add more oil if your mixture needs more moisture.

Drain the Corn Husks

1. Remove the corn husks from the water and shake off any excess water.
2. Place them on a cookie sheet.

Assemble the Tamales

1. Line up all of your components:  corn husks, masa mixutre, meat, chili sauce, cheese/jalapenos
2. Open a single husk with the wide end at the top.  Spread masa on the husk, about 1/4" thick.  There is no need to spread masa all the way down to the point as this will be folded up.
3. Lay a fair amount of pork along the center (top to bottom) of the masa covered husk.
4. Spoon 2 or 3 spoonfuls of chili sauce on top of the meat.
5. Sprinkle a small amount of cheese along the sauce/meat (if using).
6. Place jalapenos on top of the cheese (if using).  I make about half with jalapenos and half without.  I make sure to put 1 - 2 slices very near the top so the ones with jalapenos are very distinguishable.
7. Fold the left side over about 2/3 of the way.
8. Fold the right side over about 2/3 of the way, the masa will help act as a glue to help hold it together.
9. Fold the bottom up.
10. Place the folded tamale open end up in your steamer basket.  Note:  initially you may need to place a bowl or something else in your steamer basket to help support the tamales until you have wrapped up enough of them to support each other.  You may also find a way to position your pot and steamer basket at an angle (generally, I have not added any water to the pot at this point).  You do not want the tamales to slide down and lose the contents.
11. Do not put too many tamales into the steamer basket or they will not cook properly.
12. Add water to the steamer pot and place it on the stove.
13. Cover the pot and steamer basket and turn it on high.
14. Once a good steam is being generated, turn the heat down to medium-low.
15. Continue steaming for 1 1/2 to 2 hour.
16. The tamales are done when you open one up and the masa has hardened.  If the masa is still too soft, continue steaming.