Basic Masa for Tamales

Unlike conventional masa, this recipe uses yoghurt in place of lard or shortening.

Preparation facts

Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 min

Prep Time: 2 hrs

Total Time: 3 hrs 30 min

Servings: 10

Yield: 20 tamales

Ingredients

1 cup (240mL) chicken or vegetable stock*

2/3 cup (100g) white grits, ground as finely as possible, or white cornmeal

1 cup (240mL) masa harina

1/3 cup (80g) whole milk yoghurt cheese*

1 tsp (4g) baking powder

1/2–1 tsp (3–6g) salt

Directions

To make yoghurt cheese, pour plain yoghurt into a sieve lined with cheese cloth. Set over a bowl and let drain for 4 hours.

When the cheese is ready, bring stock to a simmer, then pour over grits in a bowl and allow to soften for about 15 minutes.

Mix in masa harina; set aside until cool. In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, or with an electric hand mixer, combine half the masa mixture and yoghurt, beating for three minutes. Add remaining masa and mix another 3 minutes, to the consistency of cake batter. Add baking powder and salt to taste.

* Allergy notes: If you are allergic to soya, be sure the broth you choose is soya-free, as broths frequently contain hydrolized vegetable protein from soya. The egg protein lysozyme is an unlabeled additive in some cheeses. People allergic to eggs should eliminate any cheese in this recipe.

Nutrition facts

Serving Size 1 serving

Calories 147

Calories from Fat 55 (38%)

% Daily Value*

10%Total Fat 6g

18%Saturated Fat 3.5g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g

Monounsaturated Fat 1.8g

6%Cholesterol 18mg

12%Sodium 291mg

3%Potassium 101mg

6%Total Carbohydrate 19g

2%Dietary Fiber 0.5g

Sugars 0g

Sugar Alcohols 0g

10%Protein 5g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutrition facts are calculated by a food expert using nutritional values provided by the USDA for common products used as recipe ingredients. Actual nutritional values may differ depending on the amounts or products used and can be affected by cooking methods.

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The information presented in the Food Guide is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires August 2007.