Chinese-Style Tamales Recipe
Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish loved by many, typically filled with pork, chicken, or beans and cheese, then cooked on the stove or in a pressure cooker. Today, we’re sharing a Chinese-inspired version of this dish. It doesn't require any complicated seasonings, with corn as the main ingredient. The result is a fragrant tamale with a rich corn aroma and a soft, sweet, and chewy texture that will surely win you over at first bite.
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This Chinese-Style Tamale recipe is very simple, requiring only 5 common ingredients and no complicated equipment. It's also meat-free, making it perfect for vegetarians. We’ll walk you through each step with detailed tips and important points to ensure you can master it with ease.
1. What are Chinese-Style Tamales?
Chinese-Style Tamales, also known as yumi baba or baogu baba, are a traditional snack made primarily from corn, particularly popular in the southwestern regions of China. This tasty treat is typically made by grinding sticky corn into a thick paste, shaping it into palm-sized pieces, and then steaming it until cooked.
In China, there are many variations of Chinese-Style Tamales. To enhance the flavor, ingredients like red dates or cranberries are often added, making these tamales increasingly popular.
2. Ingredients
To make these Chinese-Style Tamales, you will need the following ingredients:
Fresh corn
All-purpose flour
Red dates
Cornmeal
White sugar
Important tip:
These are all common ingredients, and the red dates are mainly used for garnish and adding flavor. If you prefer, you can substitute them with goji berries, cranberries, or other similar fruits.
3. How to Make Chinese-Style Tamales: Step-by-Step Instructions
For detailed pictures and instructions, refer to the full tutorial below. Here is a quick summary of the steps to make Chinese-Style Tamales:
1.Peel and clean the fresh corn.
2.Use a machine to blend the corn into a paste.
3.Add all the ingredients and mix well.
4.Wrap the corn paste in corn husks.
5.Steam for 20 minutes, and they're ready to serve.
4. How to Prepare Fresh Corn Husks:
This dish requires fresh corn husks, so proper preparation is essential. Typically, we keep the large, intact husks and trim off the rough edges with scissors. Then, we use a brush to gently clean along the grain of the husk.
Be careful not to tear the husks during cleaning, as this could cause the corn mixture to leak when wrapping.
5. How to Store Chinese-Style Tamales:
Wrap the Chinese-Style Tamales in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container to prevent air and moisture from entering. Store the wrapped tamales in the refrigerator. If they are freshly cooked, they can be kept in the fridge for about 3-5 days. For pre-prepared frozen tamales, store them in the freezer, where they can last for several months.
When ready to eat, simply take the desired amount from the fridge and reheat by steaming or warming them up.
6. More Delicious Pancake and Flatbread Recipes:
Chinese Crepes Recipe (Tianjin-style Jianbing)
Steamed Scallion Rolls (葱油花卷/Hua Juan)
Easy Waffle House-Style Waffles Recipe
Here’s the detailed tutorial for making Chinese-Style Tamales. Give it a try and enjoy the process!
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INGREDIENTS
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 300g fresh corn
ACCESSORIES
- 50g all-purpose flour
- 4 red dates
- 20g cornmeal
- 10g white sugar
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
Peel and clean 300g (2 ears) of fresh corn.
STEP 2
Use a juicer or food processor to blend the corn into a paste.
STEP 3
Add 10g of white sugar.
STEP 4
Mix in 20g of cornmeal.
STEP 5
Add 50g of all-purpose flour and stir until well combined.
STEP 6
Knead the mixture into a smooth batter.
STEP 7
Trim the ends of the corn husks and clean them. Spread a portion of the batter onto the husks, then pit and halve the red dates and place them on top of the corn mixture.
STEP 8
Bring water to a boil in a steamer, then place the prepared tamales in the steamer and steam for 20 minutes.
STEP 9
After 20 minutes, remove from the steamer. Your delicious Chinese-Style Tamales are ready to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
1.How is tamales made of?
Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made of masa (a type of corn dough), filled with a variety of ingredients, wrapped in corn husks, and then steamed. Here is a general overview of how tamales are made:
Prepare the Filling: The filling for tamales can vary and may include ingredients such as shredded meat (like chicken, pork, or beef), cheese, vegetables, or chili sauce.
Prepare the Masa: The masa is made from dried corn that has been soaked in an alkaline solution, then ground into a dough. It is mixed with fat (like lard or vegetable shortening), broth, and seasoning to form a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Assemble the Tamales: Corn husks are soaked in water to soften them. A spoonful of masa is spread onto the center of a corn husk, and the filling is placed on top of the masa.
Wrap the Tamales: The corn husk is folded over the filling to enclose it, creating a rectangular or square packet. The ends of the husk are folded up to seal the tamale.
Steam the Tamales: The tamales are placed upright in a steamer pot with some water at the bottom. They are then steamed for about 1-1.5 hours until the masa is cooked and firm.
Serve: Tamales are typically served warm and can be enjoyed on their own or with toppings like salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
2.What is tamale dough made of?
Tamale dough, also known as masa for tamales, is made from masa harina, which is a type of finely ground corn flour made from dried corn that has been treated with an alkaline solution. The alkaline treatment, known as nixtamalization, helps to soften the corn and improve its nutritional value.
3.How long does tamales take to cook?
The cooking time for tamales can vary depending on the size of the tamales, the type of filling, and the cooking method used. However, as a general guideline, tamales typically take about 1 to 1.5 hours to cook through.
4.Are making tamales hard?
Making tamales can be a bit time-consuming and require some effort, but it is not necessarily hard. With the right ingredients, equipment, and guidance, anyone can make delicious tamales at home. Here are a few reasons why some people might find making tamales challenging:
Assembly process: The process of assembling tamales can be a bit labor-intensive, especially if you are making a large batch. It involves spreading the masa dough onto corn husks, adding the filling, and then folding and tying the tamales. This step can take some practice to get the technique right.
Cooking technique: Cooking tamales traditionally involves steaming them, which requires a steamer pot or basket. Ensuring that the tamales are cooked through evenly and maintaining the right level of steam can be a bit tricky for beginners.
Time and patience: Making tamales is a multi-step process that involves preparing the masa dough, making the filling, assembling the tamales, and then cooking them. It can take a few hours from start to finish, so having patience and allowing enough time for the process is important.
Recipe analyzer
- Recipes: Chinese-Style Tamales Recipe
- Main Ingredients:5
- Servings per recipe:1
- Servings size:408 g
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Energy (calories)：1470 kcal
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Protein：35.54 g
-
Fat：15.17 g
Why gray?
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Carbohydrates：308.11 g
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Protein: 7%105 kcal
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Fat: 9%127 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 84%1237 kcal
The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.
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