The flavors of tamales

[ravenrose]

The only carby thing that temps me when I shop nowadays is tamales. My favorites were always chile and cheese.

I made a bowl of "cornmeal" with almond meal and water, melted in some jack cheese, and topped with some Salsa de Arbol which sorta tastes like enchilada sauce or something like that. It was very good, and while very rich so my serving was small, it was satisfying.

[BABSY]

Originally Posted by ravenrose

The only carby thing that temps me when I shop nowadays is tamales. My favorites were always chile and cheese.

I made a bowl of "cornmeal" with almond meal and water, melted in some jack cheese, and topped with some Salsa de Arbol which sorta tastes like enchilada sauce or something like that. It was very good, and while very rich so my serving was small, it was satisfying.

There is a thread about hominy being used to make tamales. You could use this instead of the cornmeal. I think it is lower carb.

[MsWoods]

Originally Posted by BABSY

There is a thread about hominy being used to make tamales. You could use this instead of the cornmeal. I think it is lower carb.

I don't think she actually used cornmeal, but for the "cornmeal" you would normally use in a tamale, she used almond meal and water for the same type of "cornmeal" substance.

That sounds really tasty Raven.

[scout5000]

Did you boil the water, or heat it up first? I love tamales and would love a low carb option!

[ravenrose]

Originally Posted by scout5000

Did you boil the water, or heat it up first? I love tamales and would love a low carb option!

I actually whisk the water and almond meal together and microwave, stopping to check it and rewhisk often. I don't mind standing over it when it only ends up taking about 3-4 minutes total.

The first time I put some butter in it, because I like the richness in tamales, but it is unnecessary. The cheese contributes that and it just gets oily looking with butter too.

I suppose one could try something complicated to roll up filled tamales, but I've always been one for simplifying the presentation and retaining the flavor when I'm just cooking for myself. I enjoy it just as much.

I do understand the corn husks contribute a good deal of flavor though, and I can't imagine cooking something next to one would contribute much in the way of carbs... if I ever see the dried corn husks cheap I may boil them in some water and then strain and use that water to make the almond meal. Or, I suppose, there are fresh corn husks all over when corn is being sold and people husk it in the store and leave the husks as waste... I might try explaining to the checker why I want some free! LOL

[Lickrish]

I second the recommendation of looking up the mexican hominy thread. I made a tamale casserole that was so good! It tastes exactly like tamales. I need to write the recipe down that I added to that thread because I don't even have it here.

[ravenrose]

Originally Posted by Lickrish

I second the recommendation of looking up the mexican hominy thread. I made a tamale casserole that was so good! It tastes exactly like tamales. I need to write the recipe down that I added to that thread because I don't even have it here.

I've suggested the hominy thing to people before, but I would have portion control issues if I had a can of it. Best not to go there.

[lynnport]

How can I find old threads?

[sistertzu]

What a great idea. I'm going to try it with almond flour. Mostly I'll have just one regular tamale, mine are about 12 carbs each once in a while is ok just very low carb the rest of the day.

[Nigel]

Originally Posted by lynnport

How can I find old threads?

go up to the top and clik on search
go to advanced search
type in keyword tamale
below that scroll to search titles only
then on the right, search this forum only
then clik on search

[oyvey]

Almond flour is a brilliant idea! Mix some lard in there, throw a chicken leg in there (or whatever), roll up in a banana leaf , BAM: Oaxaca(ish) style! Thanks for the idea!

[lynnport]

Thanks

[Lickrish]

Originally Posted by lynnport

How can I find old threads?

Mexican style hominy..