Mouth-Watering Jalapeno And Cheese Tamale Recipe With 4 Easy Steps

The greatest thing about tamales is how versatile and enjoyable they are, including this Jalapeno and Cheese Tamale Recipe. This Jalapeno and Cheese Tamale Recipe requires time, patience, and some cooking experience. However, it is still great for beginner cooks wanting to learn how to make jalapenos and cheese tamales.

The most common type of tamale has pork or some kind of meat like beef inside. While this is true, this recipe uses vegetarian-friendly options like jalapenos and cheese. It is scrumptious and while usually enjoyed during the holidays, can be made all year round!

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The History Of Jalapeno And Cheese Tamales

Tamales have been around for thousands of years, however, they are very different from the tamales we know and love today. Before Spain reached Central and South America, the indigenous people ate tamales out of corn and other natural ingredients.

Cattle like cows and chickens were not yet common. If the tamales did have meat, it was most likely deer meat. Most of the time, however, tamales were stuffed and cooked with beans and other vegetables. The process of making tamales was very long! It took various family members days to create a large batch to feed the community during holidays and rituals.

When the Spanish came, they introduced the Aztecs and another indigenous group to cows, chicken, and cheese. Now, it is rare to see a tamale without cheese in the middle! Although the jalapenos come from ‘

Till this day, tamales are still a classic traditional dish for the holidays. Family members gather around a long table and take turns wrapping and pushing the masa for the tamales. It is a sweet tradition that dates back to 8,000 B.C. and will likely continue to thrive.

What You Will Need To Cook This Jalapeno And Cheese Tamale Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 Husks of Corn
• 1/2 Cup of Masa Harina
• 1/4 Cup of Vegetable Oil. Although I prefer to use vegetable oil, you can substitute vegetable oil for olive oil to lower the calorie amount. Vegetable oil is neutral and does not add flavor, however, it holds the masa for the tamales well.
• 1/2 Cup of Vegetable Stock
• 1 tsp of. Cumin
• 2 tbsp. of Salt
• 1 tsp. of Baking Soda
• 2 tbsp. of Onion Powder
• 10 Jalapenos Sliced. The larger and fresher the jalapenos, the better. However, if you cannot find jalapenos, you can always substitute this for the ones in a can that come pre-sliced and diced.
• 1/4th Pound of Monterey Jack Cheese. This cheese is the best cheese for tamales because it melts well and has a smooth flavor. While you can use crema and other forms like shredded Mexican cheese, it will change the flavor slightly.

Equipment

• Crock-Pot or Instant Pot
• Large Pot to Boil Water and Steam
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Mixing Spoon. The spoon may be hard to use if the masa is sticky, you can substitute a mixing spoon for a whisk.
• Large Bowl
• Clean Space/Extra Plate

Step By Step Instructions On Making Tamales With Cheese

Step 1: Clean and Prepare the Corn Husks

The first step in this Jalapeno and Cheese Tamale Recipe is to prepare the corn husks. It is an important step because the husks not only provide flavor to the tamale but shape and consistency. The best way to clean the husks is to boil them for 5 minutes or run cool water on top of them.

Lay them out to dry in a clean area or a plate. You can cut the husks if they are too big, or wrap them tightly once it is time to shape the masa.

Step 2: Make the Masa Mixture

The most important part of this recipe is the masa to make tamales. The masa in this Jalapeno and Cheese Tamale Recipe should be thick and smooth. Take the wet and dry ingredients (not including the cheese or the jalapenos for the filling) and whisk them together.

In order for the masa to work, it should be sticky and shape well with the husks.

Step 3: Fill the Husks and Cook

During the third and final step, you will be filling the corn husks with the masa. It is easiest to do this using a spoon. Take a spoon or two of the masa and spread it in the center of the husk. Make sure that the smooth side of the corn husk is facing up.

Then, add the filling. You can sprinkle the cheese or melt it beforehand. However, the heat of the steam and boiling water will likely melt the cheese. Make sure at least one jalapeno is in each tamale to bring an extra kick of spice and flavor. Fold the tamales to create a tube-like shape from edge to edge.

Afterward, boil hot water and stack the tamales inside with the husks. Add the top and boil for approximately 60 minutes. Afterward, lower the heat and allow the steam to come out for 20 minutes. Always wait to cool the tamales before serving.

Tips And Tricks On Cooking This Jalapeno And Cheese Tamale Recipe

Although this Jalapeno and Cheese Tamale Recipe has three quickly detailed steps, it can be hard to do this successfully. The hardest part for most people is folding the tamales perfectly so that there is enough masa to cover the fillings. The best way to do this is by spreading enough masa in the husk before folding.

Another trick to excel in making tamales with cheese in this Jalapeno and Cheese Tamale Recipe is to use a pressure cooker or steamer. This kitchen device can decrease the amount of time it takes to cook the tamales perfectly.

You can also use white or cornflour in this Jalapeno and Cheese Tamale Recipe to decrease the stickiness when trying to spread and handle the masa.

Servings and Preparation Time

This Jalapeno and Cheese Tamale Recipe is delicious, quick, and great for intermediate cooks that already understand some basics of authentic Mexican cooking. While this is the case, anyone can try and make this thousand of years old traditional dish.

What do you think about this Jalapeno and Cheese Tamale Recipe? Let us know in the comment section below! If you have learned something new and would like to spread it around, share this article!