World Flavors Cookbook

Tamales de Rajas con Queso

Name: Tamales de Rajas con Queso
Cook time: 90 min
Cuisine: Mexico
Ingredients: For masa: 500g masa harina, 150g lard or vegetable shortening, 500ml warm broth or water, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking powder; For filling: 4 poblano peppers, roasted, peeled and cut into strips; 250g Oaxacan cheese or mozzarella, in chunks; Corn husks, soaked in hot water

Vegetarian tamales filled with roasted poblano strips and melted cheese — the most popular tamale filling for those who don't eat meat.

Cuisine: Mexico

Ingredients

For masa: 500g masa harina, 150g lard or vegetable shortening, 500ml warm broth or water, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking powder
For filling: 4 poblano peppers, roasted, peeled and cut into strips; 250g Oaxacan cheese or mozzarella, in chunks
Corn husks, soaked in hot water

Instructions

Beat lard until fluffy. Add masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Add broth gradually. Beat until a small piece floats in water.
Spread masa on soaked corn husk, leaving top third clear.
Place poblano strips and cheese in center.
Fold sides of husk over. Fold bottom up.
Stand upright in steamer.
Steam 1-1.5 hours until masa pulls cleanly from husk.