Discover the Best Red Chicken Tamales Recipe for a Mouthwatering Mexican Feast
Are you tired of boring old tamales? Look no further because I have the ultimate recipe for Red Chicken Tamales that will make your taste buds dance with joy! But beware, these tamales are not for the faint-hearted. They are spicy, flavorful, and will leave you craving for more.
Firstly, let's talk about the ingredients. The star of this recipe is the red sauce made from dried chili peppers. It's a labor of love to prepare, but trust me, it's worth every second. You'll also need chicken, masa harina, lard (yes, lard), and various spices. Now, I know what you're thinking, lard? Isn't that unhealthy? Well, let me tell you, it's the secret ingredient that gives these tamales their signature texture and taste.
Now, onto the preparation. Don't be intimidated by the process, it's easier than it seems. First, you'll need to soak the dried chili peppers in hot water until they're soft. Then, blend them into a smooth sauce and strain out any seeds or skin. Next, cook the chicken with the spices and shred it into small pieces. Mix the masa harina with the chicken broth and lard, and beat until fluffy. Finally, assemble the tamales by spreading the masa on corn husks, adding the chicken and red sauce, and then wrapping them up tightly.
The most important part of cooking tamales is the steaming process. You'll need a large pot with a steamer basket, and enough water to reach just below the basket. Arrange the tamales vertically in the basket, cover with a lid, and steam for about an hour. The end result should be soft, moist, and bursting with flavor.
Now, let's talk about the best part, eating them! I recommend serving them with some fresh salsa, guacamole, and a cold beer. Take a bite and let the flavors explode in your mouth. The spiciness of the red sauce combined with the tender chicken and fluffy masa is a match made in heaven. Your taste buds will thank you.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a recipe that will impress your friends and family, look no further than these Red Chicken Tamales. They're spicy, flavorful, and will leave your taste buds wanting more. So, grab your apron and get cooking!
Introduction
Have you ever heard about Red Chicken Tamales? Well, if you haven't, you are missing out on one of the most delicious dishes in the world. These tamales are a delicacy from Mexico, and they are famous for their unique flavor and texture. Today, I will share with you my recipe for making Red Chicken Tamales that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.Ingredients
To make Red Chicken Tamales, you will need the following ingredients:For the Filling:
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
For the Masa:
- 4 cups masa harina
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup lard or vegetable shortening
- 1 cup red chili sauce
The Filling
To make the filling for the Red Chicken Tamales, start by cooking the chicken breast in a large pot until it is fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it into small pieces using two forks. In the same pot, sauté the onions and garlic until they are soft and translucent. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot and mix it with the onion and garlic mixture.Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the pot and stir everything together. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes and the chicken broth, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded together.The Masa
To make the masa for the Red Chicken Tamales, mix the masa harina, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the chicken broth, lard or vegetable shortening, and red chili sauce together. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix everything together until you have a smooth dough.Putting It All Together
To assemble the Red Chicken Tamales, start by spreading a thin layer of the masa dough onto a corn husk. Spoon a generous amount of the chicken filling onto the center of the masa dough, making sure to leave enough room around the edges to fold the tamale.Fold the sides of the corn husk over the filling, then fold up the bottom of the husk to create a sealed package. Place the tamales upright in a steamer basket, making sure they are standing up and not lying flat. Steam the tamales for about 45 minutes to an hour, until the masa dough is cooked through and the filling is hot and bubbly.Final Thoughts
Red Chicken Tamales are a delicious and unique dish that are perfect for any occasion. They take a bit of time and effort to make, but the end result is well worth it. Plus, they freeze well, so you can make a big batch and enjoy them for weeks to come. So why not give this recipe a try and see for yourself how amazing Red Chicken Tamales can be?The Red Chicken Tamales Recipe - This Ain't Your Grandma's Boring Recipe!
Are you tired of the same old tamales that your grandma used to make? Well, look no further because this Red Chicken Tamales recipe is about to change your world. It's spicy, flavorful, and will leave your taste buds dancing with joy. And the best part? It's so easy to make that even your grandma will be impressed.The Secret Sauce - Not as Secret as the Colonel's, But Still Pretty Damn Good.
The key to making these tamales stand out is the secret sauce. Okay, it's not really a secret, but it's still damn good. Mix together some tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt, and you've got yourself a sauce that will blow your mind (and taste buds).Preparing the Chicken - Make Sure You Remove All Feathers and Disentangle the Bird from the Tree.
Before you can start making the tamales, you need to prepare the chicken. Now, I know what you're thinking. How hard can it be? Well, let me tell you, it's not as easy as it looks. Make sure you remove all the feathers and disentangle the bird from the tree. Trust me, it's worth the effort.Masa Madness - Is It Possible to Be Addicted to Masa? Asking for a Friend.
Next up is the masa. Is it possible to be addicted to masa? Asking for a friend. Mix together some masa harina, baking powder, salt, and chicken stock until you get a smooth consistency. And don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. The masa is the heart and soul of the tamales.Stuff 'Em - You Know What They Say, the More Stuffing the Better!
Now it's time to stuff those bad boys. Spoon some of the chicken and secret sauce onto the masa and roll it up like a burrito. You know what they say, the more stuffing the better! Don't be afraid to pile it on.Wrap It Up - It's Like Playing Tetris, But with Deliciousness.
Once you've stuffed all your tamales, it's time to wrap them up. It's like playing Tetris, but with deliciousness. Lay out a corn husk and spoon some of the masa onto it. Roll it up and tie the ends with some string. Repeat until you've used up all your masa and chicken.Steamy Situation - Tamales Like It Hot, But Not Too Hot. Find the Sweet Spot.
Now it's time to steam those tamales. Tamales like it hot, but not too hot. Find the sweet spot and steam them for about an hour. And don't forget to add some water to the pot. You don't want your tamales to dry out.Unwrapping - Like Opening Presents on Christmas Morning, But Without the Disappointment.
Finally, the moment you've been waiting for. Unwrap those tamales like it's Christmas morning. But unlike Christmas morning, there won't be any disappointment. These tamales are the real deal.Eating Time - Dig In and Enjoy All Your Hard Work (or Someone Else's if You're Lucky).
It's finally time to dig in and enjoy all your hard work. Or someone else's if you're lucky. These Red Chicken Tamales won't last more than a day. But if they do, they make great midnight snacks.Leftovers? Don't Be Silly - These Red Chicken Tamales Won't Last More Than a Day.
Speaking of midnight snacks, don't be silly and think you'll have leftovers. These tamales are so good that they won't last more than a day. But if by some miracle they do, just pop them in the microwave for a quick snack. Trust me, you won't regret it.The Red Chicken Tamales Recipe
The Origin of Red Chicken Tamales
Once upon a time, in a small Mexican village, there lived a group of women who loved to cook. They would gather every week and share their latest recipes with each other. One day, one of the women brought her version of chicken tamales to the gathering. She had added a secret ingredient that made the tamales red and extra flavorful. The other women were so impressed with her recipe that they began to add their own twists and variations to it. And thus, the Red Chicken Tamales recipe was born.
The Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let's take a look at the ingredients you'll need:
- 2 cups masa harina (corn flour)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup red chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
The Recipe
Now, let's get cooking! Follow these steps to make your own delicious Red Chicken Tamales:
- In a large bowl, mix together the masa harina, chicken broth, vegetable shortening, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the cooked and shredded chicken, red chili sauce, cumin, and garlic powder.
- Spread a spoonful of the masa mixture onto a corn husk.
- Add a spoonful of the chicken mixture on top of the masa mixture.
- Roll the corn husk to enclose the filling and form a tamale.
- Repeat with the remaining corn husks and filling.
- Place the tamales in a steamer basket and steam for about an hour.
- Remove the tamales from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
The Story of My Red Chicken Tamales
Now, let me tell you about my experience making Red Chicken Tamales. First of all, let me just say that I'm not the most skilled cook in the world. But, I was feeling adventurous and decided to give this recipe a try.
As I was mixing the masa harina and other ingredients together, I couldn't help but think that it looked like something my dog would eat. But, I persevered and eventually got the mixture to the right consistency.
Next came the chicken mixture. I decided to add some extra spice because I like my food with a kick. And boy, did it have a kick! I could feel my mouth burning after just one taste.
Rolling the tamales was a bit tricky at first, but I got the hang of it after a few tries. And then came the steaming. This was the longest part of the process, and I found myself getting impatient. But, finally, they were ready to eat.
And you know what? They were actually pretty good! Sure, they weren't the prettiest tamales in the world, but they had a great flavor. And I felt pretty proud of myself for making them from scratch.
The Bottom Line
If you're feeling adventurous and want to try your hand at making Red Chicken Tamales, I say go for it! It may take some time and effort, but the end result is worth it. And who knows, maybe you'll come up with your own variation that becomes the next big thing among your friends and family.
Farewell, My Tamales-Loving Friends!
Well, well, well! We have come to the end of this delicious journey. I hope you have enjoyed reading about the Red Chicken Tamales Recipe as much as I have enjoyed writing about it. However, before we say our goodbyes, let's do a quick recap of what we have learned so far.
First, we learned that tamales are one of the most popular Mexican dishes, and they come in different variations. Secondly, we discovered that the Red Chicken Tamales Recipe is not as complicated as it seems. With a few ingredients and some patience, you can make these mouth-watering tamales at home.
We also talked about the importance of soaking the corn husks in water to make them more pliable and easier to work with. And, we discussed the different ways to fold the tamales to give them that perfect shape.
Now, let's talk about the taste. Oh, my! These tamales are the bomb! The combination of the tender chicken filling and the spicy red sauce is simply out of this world. I bet you can't wait to try it out yourself.
But, before you run to the kitchen to prepare your Red Chicken Tamales, let me give you a quick tip. Don't be too hard on yourself if your first attempt doesn't turn out as perfect as you expected. Remember, practice makes perfect!
Furthermore, don't forget to share your success stories with your friends and family. After all, food is meant to be shared. Who knows, you might even inspire someone else to try out this recipe.
As we draw the curtains on this recipe, let me say a big thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I hope you have learned something new and exciting.
Lastly, I would like to leave you with a quote from one of my favorite chefs, Julia Child. She once said, People who love to eat are always the best people. So, let's continue to enjoy good food and good company. Cheers to a delicious life!
Until we meet again, happy cooking!
People Also Ask About Red Chicken Tamales Recipe
What are Red Chicken Tamales?
Red Chicken Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made with masa, seasoned shredded chicken, and a spicy red sauce made from dried chilies. The mixture is wrapped in corn husks and steamed until cooked through.
Are Red Chicken Tamales Hard to Make?
Well, it depends on how good of a cook you are! Making tamales can be a bit time-consuming, but once you get the hang of it, it's not too difficult. The key is to take your time and follow the recipe closely.
What Kind of Chilies Should I Use for the Red Sauce?
For the red sauce, you'll want to use dried chilies like guajillo, ancho, or pasilla. These varieties have a mild to medium heat level and a rich, smoky flavor that pairs well with the chicken and masa. If you want it spicier, you can add some arbol chilies or cayenne pepper.
Can I Use Store-Bought Masa?
Yes, you can use store-bought masa for your tamales if you don't want to make it from scratch. Just make sure you buy masa harina (corn flour) and follow the instructions on the package to make the dough. It won't be quite as flavorful as homemade masa, but it will still work.
How Do I Know When the Tamales are Done?
The tamales are done when the masa is cooked through and no longer sticky. To test if they're done, remove one from the pot and let it cool slightly. If the masa comes away from the husk easily and is firm to the touch, they're done!
Can I Freeze Red Chicken Tamales?
Absolutely! Tamales freeze well and are a great make-ahead meal. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, simply steam them for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
Anything Else I Should Know?
Just remember, making tamales takes time and patience. Don't be afraid to get creative with your fillings and sauces, and most importantly, have fun with it! And if all else fails, there's always the option to order takeout from your favorite Mexican restaurant...shhh, we won't tell anyone!