Tamales with chipilin is one of my personal favorite dishes from the Mexican kitchen. Today I will share with you my authentic tamales recipe. I will also show you how to prepare tamales pie, which is even easier to make!
What is tamale?
Where is tamales with chipilin from?
Where can I find the best tamales recipe?
Learn a little about the gastronomy of Tabasco
Chipilin tamales are typical of Olmeca, Chiapas, Tabasco.
They are made from scrambled martajada dough with chipilín leaf, of peculiar flavor, accompanied by strands of pork or chicken wrapped in banana leaf. They are served with spicy red sauce or tomato sauce.
Chipilín (also popularly known as Chepil) is a plant whose leaves are widely used in local cuisine in southern Mexico, including Chiapas, Oaxaca and Tabasco, and also in Central America, especially El Salvador and Guatemala. The Chipìlin leaves are rich in iron, calcium and beta carotene. They can be boiled and served green or dried. It is used as an herb, or added to the masses of the tamale masses giving it color and flavor.
Ingredients
Tamales de chipilin for 10 people (10 portions)
- 300 gr. chipilín leaf (if we compare bunches, we must eliminate the stems)
- 125 gr. lard (can be added more if preferred)
- 1/4 of kg white cheese (for example feta cheese)
- 1, 1 kg cornmeal
- Salt
- 1 bag dried corn husks or enough to wrap 30 units of tamales
- 1 bag dried corn husks or enough to wrap 30 units of tamales
Steps – how to make tamales at home
- We expect to spend 75 minutes making this dish.
- First wash the chipilín leaves and dry them
- Mix the flour with water before we make balls
- Next, we add the remaining ingredients. We mix them well.
- If you use a bender sheet, soak it in hot water for a few minutes until they soften, then take them out of the water and dry them.
- Put the dough formed in the bender and close it.
Then cook the tamales steamed for about 40 minutes.
Here is another and quicker tamale recipe with Guajillo Chicken.
Gluten Free Tamales Pie – easier than making tamales
The spicy tamale pie feeds a crowd with big flavors, and is actually much easier to make than traditional tamales. Your friends will love this gluten free tamale-inspired pot-pie!
Tamales Pie Recipe
The tamales pie filling:
- 500 gram lean ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/4 cup jalapeño peppers
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 500 ml can diced tomatoes
- 200 ml can tomato sauce
- 1 cup frozen yellow corn, no need to thaw
- 50 ml can sliced black olives, drained
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
The tamales pie topping:
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Half cup cornmeal
- One cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Two eggs
Instructions | how to make the tamales pie
Preheat oven to 210 degrees Celsius.
Making the Filling:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil until hot. Add the onion, green pepper and jalapeños, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes.
Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium and add the ground beef to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally to break up the meat, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Once the meat is browned, add the onion mixture back to the pan. Stir in the corn, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin and salt. Stir well to ensure that the spices and the tomato paste are evenly distributed. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand while preparing the cornbread topping.
Make the Cornbread
Topping: Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and melted butter. Pour the wet ingredients over the cornmeal mixture and stir together until barely incorporated.
Assemble & Bake the Pie: Stir the olives and shredded cheese into the beef mixture and pour it into a 9×13-inch baking dish, smoothing the top. Pour the cornbread batter over the filling, using a spatula to spread it into an even layer. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the pie to rest for 15 minutes before serving.
More inspiration for tamale pies?
We hope you enjoyed this video how to make homemade tamales at home! If you have leftovers of turkey in your kitchen, you can use them in your tamale pie! Check out the recipe on foodwishes. Check also out how to make delicious tostadas and 3 amazing Mexican food recipes you will love!
