The Texas BBQ Forum

Catching up on my lurking!

Tamales are a regular around our house (in season). The wife is from Mexico, and as the last of 12, she got plenty of experience at home! When she makes tamales, she finally told me to stay out of the kitchen and out of her way, I slow her down too much ! Once the meat is cooked and marinated, the assembly goes quick for her, 30-40 dozen per day on average.

As for serving, once you get past fresh from the steamer or out of the microwave... We will toss 'em on the grill in the husks till the husk is dark, gives them a smokey flavor.

Then more elaborate prep, my favorite is for breakfast...

Tamale Breakfast-1 by Mr_Dodis, on Flickr
Unwrap and pan fry...

Tamale Breakfast-2 by Mr_Dodis, on Flickr
On the plate with cheese of choice...

Tamale Breakfast-3 by Mr_Dodis, on Flickr
A couple over easy...

Tamale Breakfast-4 by Mr_Dodis, on Flickr
Add salsa of choice, or queso works too!

Tamale Breakfast-5 by Mr_Dodis, on Flickr
MONEY SHOT!

My Wife just asked me why I was licking the Monitor Screen

Those look premium! I bow in the presence of real experience in this area. I don't think I could make 300-400 tamales in a week, let alone a day.

The biggest boost to her production was the masa spreader. Similar to a small concrete trowel. Her family would sit around the kitchen all day, 3-5 of them spreading masa with a spoon, and 1 or 2 filling and rolling. And of course, gossiping all day! With the masa spreader, she can prepare the husks faster than 3-4 could fill them. Turns out, the rest of the family didn't like it because it cut their gossip sessions too short!

Found this video on YouTube of the spreader in use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVAyPqYcxLA

Oh, and another way to serve 'em for non-breakfast, fry them up like I showed above, but top with lettuce or cabbage, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, and Mexican sweet cream or sour cream. And/or whatever else trips your fancy.

These are just boxed frozen taquitos (lazy dinner), but the same thing we do with tamales...
Taquitos by Mr_Dodis, on Flickr

Superb!

Dodis wrote:The biggest boost to her production was the masa spreader. Similar to a small concrete trowel. Her family would sit around the kitchen all day, 3-5 of them spreading masa with a spoon, and 1 or 2 filling and rolling. And of course, gossiping all day! With the masa spreader, she can prepare the husks faster than 3-4 could fill them. Turns out, the rest of the family didn't like it because it cut their gossip sessions too short!

Found this video on YouTube of the spreader in use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVAyPqYcxLA

Thank you thank you thank you - - - if I can score one of these I may even make tamales again - - sometimes the simplest of ideas are the best idea

OUP,

She got hers at HEB, so it should be easy to find. At least in Texas!

When I searched for an image to post, saw plenty of links for Amazon, eBay, etc. selling them.

Mike

thanks, HEB is my go-to Store so tomorrow I'll browse the goodies - - thanks again

Dodis wrote:The biggest boost to her production was the masa spreader. Similar to a small concrete trowel. Her family would sit around the kitchen all day, 3-5 of them spreading masa with a spoon, and 1 or 2 filling and rolling. And of course, gossiping all day! With the masa spreader, she can prepare the husks faster than 3-4 could fill them. Turns out, the rest of the family didn't like it because it cut their gossip sessions too short!

Found this video on YouTube of the spreader in use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVAyPqYcxLA

And now I know what my next kitchen gadget will be! I love tamales and would have them much more often but the work though.. THIS will eliminate the worst part of making them. Thanks for sharing!