Double Corn Tamales
- 4 large ears of corn, husks carefully removed and kept whole, silk discarded
- 2 cups (about 11 ounces) preccoked cornmeal (See Note)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- Tomatillo Sauce and Fresh Tomato Sauce, for serving
- Cut the corn kernels from the cobs; you should have about 2 cups.
- Cook the kernels in 4 cups of boiling salted water until tender, about 4 minutes.
- Drain in a colander set over a bowl and let the corn and liquid cool completely.
- In a large skillet, toast the cornmeal over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Transfer to a plate to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal with the salt.
- Blend in the butter with your hands.
- Stir in the corn kernels and hot sauce.
- Using a wooden spoon, beat in about 2 cups of the reserved corn liquid, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well to incorporate as much air as possible; the dough should be very moist and light.
- Separate the corn husks.
- Overlap 2 to 3 of the husks to make a 6-inch-wide wrapper for each tamale.
- Mound 1/3 cup of the cough in the center of the husks and pat down slightly, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border all around.
- Wrap the husks around the filling to completely enclose it; allow room for the tamale dough to expand during cooking.
- Pinch the ends and tie tightly with string, leaving 1 inch of husk sticking out at each end.
- Light a grill or preheat the oven to 500.
- Grill the tamales over moderate heat, turning often, for about 8 minutes, or until browned and crisp outside and heated through.
- Alternatively, roast them in the oven for about 10 minutes.
- In either case the cooked tamales should feel firm and the husks should puff.
- Serve at once with the Tomatillo Sauce and Fresh Tomato Sauce.
ears of corn, cornmeal, salt, unsalted butter, hot pepper, tomato sauce
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/double-corn-tamales (may not work)