Vegetarian Tamales De Rajas Con Queso

HilahCooking's picture

Dec. 08, 2016

Tamales de rajas con queso are my FAVORITE kind! These vegetarian tamales are filled with cheese and roasted poblano peppers. Tamales are a Christmas Eve tradition in my family and your family will love them, too!

Ingredients

Dried corn husks 6 Ounce (1 bag)
Masa harina 3 Cup (48 tbs) (dry)
Broth 2 Cup (32 tbs) (vegetable or chicken)
Soft butter 3/4 Cup (12 tbs) (12 tablespoons or lard if not vegetarian)
Oil 2 Tablespoon (omit if using lard)
Salt 2 Teaspoon
For filling:
Poblano peppers 3
Cheese 1/2 Pound (Monterey Jack, Oaxacan, Asadero or Manchego)
Salsa verde 1 Cup (16 tbs)

Directions

SERVING:

1.Begin soaking the husks in hot water.

2.Get a large pot, put a penny in the bottom and a steamer basket or tray.

3.Mix masa harina with 2 cups of broth. Add more if necessary to get it fully dampened. Let sit 5-15 minutes.

4.Meanwhile, beat the butter, oil, and salt together on medium speed until smooth; about 3 minutes. Add the masa a bit at a time until its incorporated.

5.Add more broth if necessary. Beat until smooth and soft, about the appearance and texture of hummus. Test it by dropping a small spoonful into a glass of water.

6.The ball should float when the masa has the right amount of air whipped into it.

7.Cover and set aside while you roast the peppers.

8.Place them under the broiler or over a gas stove until blistered all over.

9.Transfer to a bowl and cover. Let cool. This steaming allows you to remove the skin better. Peel and cut them into strips.

10.Cut the cheese into strips.

11.Add water to the large pot, just up to the bottom of the steamer rack. Layer soaked husks (can be the ugly ones) all over the bottom and up the sides. Turn the heat to low and put a lid on the pot.

12.Open a soaked husk, place the smoothest side up, pointy side closest to you.

13.Spread a heaping tablespoon of masa over the center of the wide end of the husk. (see video for demo)

14.Spread a tablespoon of salsa over that, then a couple strips of poblano and cheese.

15.Fold the right side over, left side over, bottom up. Tie with a strip of husk if necessary.

16.When all tamales are made, place then in the pot. Cover and increase heat to medium. You should hear the penny jingling. If it stops, you need to add more hot water. Pour it in along the side of the pot, not on top of the the tamales.

17.Let them steam for 60-80 minutes, until firm. To check doneness, pull one out and let it cool a few minutes. If after that, it unwraps easily without sticking the tamales are done!

SERVING:

18.Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Summary

Difficulty Level: Easy
Cook Time: 60 Minutes
Ready In: 60 Minutes
Servings: 24

Nutrition Facts

Serving size

Calories 148Calories from Fat 96

 % Daily Value*

Total Fat 11 g16.9%

Saturated Fat 5 g25%

Trans Fat 0 g

Cholesterol

Sodium 321 mg13.38%

Total Carbohydrates 10 g3.3%

Dietary Fiber 1 g4%

Sugars

Protein 4 g8%

Vitamin A % Vitamin C %

Calcium % Iron %

*Based on a 2000 Calorie diet