The Incredible Bacon Tamale

• 1 1/2 pounds bacon, or up to 2 pounds if you really like bacon
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 16 ounces cottage cheese
• 5 pounds masa
• 1 1/2 cups pureed roasted green chiles
• salt
• 1 27-ounce can of green chiles, or the equivalent of fresh roasted green chiles, cut or torn into strips
• 1 1/2 pounds cheese, cut into 1/2" sticks
• husks

1. Cut the bacon into 1/2" pieces and cook until crispy.
2. Drain the fat into a very large bowl and set the bacon aside.
3. Soak the husks in hot or boiling water.
4. To the bowl, add the butter, cottage cheese, masa and green chiles. Mix until well-combined, seasoning with salt as you go to taste. Add a little water if it seems too dry-I ended up adding about 1/4 cup.
5. Assemble the tamales. Spread masa on a husk. Place a stick of cheese, some green chile strips, and some bacon pieces on the masa, roll it up and fold the end over. Repeat until you run out of something. I ran out of bacon, so I ended up with a few green chile and cheese tamales.
6. Steam for about 45-60 minutes, or until the masa is firm.

bacon, butter, cottage cheese, masa, green chiles, salt, green chiles, cheese, husks

Taken from food52.com/recipes/20268-the-incredible-bacon-tamale (may not work)