Best Achiote Chicken Tamales Recipes

CHICKEN TAMALES

Steps:

• Soak the corn husks in a bowl of hot water, using a plate to keep them submerged, until pliable, 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Bring the bouillon powder and 4 cups water to a simmer in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the chicken and simmer until cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the chicken and let cool; cut into small pieces. Reserve the broth.
• Puree the cilantro and 1 1/4 cups of the reserved broth in a food processor until smooth (save the remaining broth for another use). Transfer to a medium pot. Add the garlic, cumin and salsa and bring to a simmer over medium heat; cook until slightly reduced, about 12 minutes. Stir in the chicken and season with salt. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Make the dough: Soak the ancho chile in hot water until soft, about 15 minutes. Drain the chile, then mince to make a paste. Combine the chile paste, masa harina, lard, 2 2/3 cups warm water and 2 teaspoons salt
• in a bowl. Mix with your hands (or use a mixer with the paddle attachment) 10 to 15 minutes, or until a marble-size ball of dough floats in water.
• Drain the husks and pat dry. Starting 1/2 inch from the wide end, spread about 3 tablespoons of the dough down a husk, leaving a 1-inch border on the sides. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the chicken filling down the center of the dough, then fold in the sides of the husk, wrapping the dough around the filling. Fold up the narrow end of the husk. Repeat with the remaining husks, dough and filling.
• Set a steamer basket in a large pot filled with 1 to 2 inches of water. Arrange the tamales standing up in the steamer, folded-side down. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then cover and steam until the tamales pull away from the husks, about 1 hour. Remove from the steamer and let cool slightly before unwrapping.

HALLACAS GUAJIRAS DE POLLO (CHICKEN TAMALES)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine chicken, onion, garlic, chopped red and green peppers, green onions, cumin, sazon, salt and water; bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and cook until the chicken is very tender, about an hour (most of the water will have cooked out).
• Let cool a bit, then shred chicken, discarding bones and skin.
• Place chicken back in the sauce pan and add in the peas and carrots, green beans, capers, minced red bell pepper, and raisins.
• Meanwhile, prepare the alinos by placing all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and processing to form a paste; you will only use 1/2 cup of this, but the rest can be stored in the refrigerator for a week or frozen for longer storage (it is fantastic in rice, soups, or stews).
• Now place the masarepa in a large bowl; add water, salt, 1/2 cup of the alinos, and achiote oil.
• Mix with your hands until smooth.
• To assemble: On a clean work surface, place a banana leaf, then place another one perpendicular to sort of form a cross.
• Spread out about 5 tablespoons (not rounded) in the center and top with 3 tablespoons of the filling.
• Make a package by folding up the inner banana leaf, then the other; tie with kitchen string.
• Repeat with remaining masa and filling.
• Place water under the steamer basket, bring to a boil, reduce heat and steam, covered, until the masa is tender and cooked through, about 45 minutes.

MEXICAN MUCBIL POLLO (CHICKEN TAMALE CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• Put achiote condiment or paste in a 6 to 8 quart pan. Use a heavy spoon to work condiment into a smooth paste, gradually adding a little of the water and mixing until well blended. Add remaining water and bouillon cubes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes, then pour liquid through a fine wire strainer and return to pan; discard residue in strainer. (If you are using achiote substitute, it is not necessary to strain the broth.).
• To broth, add anise seeds, mint, and chicken, placing chicken on top. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes; do not stir.
• Core tomatoes and cut each into 6 wedges. After chicken has cooked for 25 minutes, add onions. After 10 more minutes, add tomatoes alongside onions.
• At end of cooking time, remove pan from heat. Gently lift out vegetables and chicken, letting broth drain back into pan. When chicken is cool to touch, remove and discard skin and bones. Tear meat into bite size pieces.
• Boil broth over highest heat, uncovered, until reduced to 2 cups; stir to prevent sticking. (if using achiote substitute, add masa flour water mixture and return to a boil, stirring.) Remove from heat.
• Grease a 3-quart shallow casserole; evenly spread about half the Masa dough (you need 5 cups dough total) over bottom and sides of casserole, flush with rim. Add chicken, tomatoes, onions, and eggs, distributing evenly, then cover with broth. Shake dish gently to level filling.
• Gently spoon dollops of remaining dough on top, then spread carefully to enclose filling; don't worry if a few thin areas develop and bits of filling show. Cover tightly with foil. Bake on lowest rack of a 425°F oven for 30 minutes; remove foil and continue to bake until top is golden brown, about 1 more hour.
• Remove from oven and let stand for at least 10 minutes before serving. Accompany with radishes and green onions. Makes 8 servings.
• MASA DOUGH: Double recipe above and whip lard, butter, margarine, or solid vegetable shortening until fluffy, then stir in dehydrated masa flour and homemade chicken broth or canned regular strength chicken or beef broth. Stir until mixture holds together. If made ahead, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before using.
• ACHIOTE SUBSTITUTE: Mix 2 tablespoons vinegar, 3 tablespoons paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons dry oregano leaves, 3 cloves garlic (pressed), and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin.
• ACHIOTE PASTE: Place 2 ounces (1/3 cup) achiote )annatto sees (available in Mexican markets) in a small bowl with boiling water to cover; cover tightly and let stand for at least 12 hours to soften.
• Drain seeds and discard liquid. Combine seeds in a blender with 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, 2 teaspoons ground allspice, 2 tablespoons chopped garlic, 2 small dried hot red chiles (broken into pieces),1/2 teaspoon salt, and 6 tablespoons EACH orange juice and white wine vinegar.
• Whirl until smooth (takes several minutes). If made ahead, cover and refrigerate for up to 10 days; freeze for longer storage. Makes about 1 cup.
• The Best Of Sunset.