Red Chile Pork Tamales

How to make Red Chile Pork Tamales

Ingredients

FOR THE RED CHILE PORK TAMALES FILLING

5 pounds pork shoulder

1 tablespoon mild olive oil or vegetable oil, plus more for coating the pork

4 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 tablespoon chipotle powder

14 dried guajillo chiles, seeded and stemmed

6 garlic cloves

1 teaspoon ground cumin

3 cups cold water

FOR THE TAMALE DOUGH

3 1/2 cups masa harina

2 1/4 cups warm water

10 ounces lard or vegetable shortening

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock

2 teaspoons kosher salt

32 dried corn husks

Instructions

MAKE THE RED CHILE PORK TAMALES FILLING

Pat the pork shoulder completely dry with paper towels. Rub the pork shoulder all over with just enough oil to coat it.

In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons (60 grams) salt with the chipotle powder. Rub the mixture on the pork, completely covering all surfaces. Let the pork rest at room temperature for 1 hour. (But for no longer than 1 hour or the salt will draw moisture from the pork and make it tough.)

Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C).

Place the pork in a roasting pan, fatty side down. Cover the pan with a double layer of aluminum foil and roast for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until the pork falls apart when pressed with the back of a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 195°F (91°C). Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest, without uncovering, for 30 minutes.

After the pork has cooled for 30 minutes, use 2 forks to pull the pork into long strands. Resist the temptation to chop the pork into chunks! Discard any gristle or chunks of fat. Strain the cooking liquid. You should have anywhere from 2 to 4 cups (473 to 946 ml) of liquid.

Meanwhile, heat a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, toss in the chiles and cook for approximately 30 seconds per side, until they’re slightly toasty. Be careful not to over toast the chiles or let them blacken or the resulting sauce will be bitter.

Remove the toasted chiles from the pan and place in a bowl. Add enough hot water to submerge the chiles. Let the chiles soak for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, use a slotted spoon to transfer the soaked chiles to a blender and discard the soaking liquid. Add the garlic, cumin, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and cold water to the blender.

Puree until the mixture forms a smooth paste.

Heat the 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil in a heavy, large stockpot over medium-high heat. When the oil is very hot and begins to shimmer, pour the red chile sauce into the pot and immediately stir. Be careful as the sauce will splatter. Cook the sauce, stirring constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and begins to darken.

Add the reserved pork drippings and the pulled pork. Bring the mixture to a simmer and gently cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Let the red chile pork filling cool slightly before preparing the tamales. (You can cover and refrigerate the pork overnight.)

TESTER TIP: You’ll have a lot of red chile pulled pork, so you’ll need to either make a double batch of tamale batter or be prepared to serve the leftover pork in soft tortillas or over rice or in any of countless other incarnations.

MAKE THE TAMALE DOUGH

In a large bowl or the bowl of stand mixer, blend the masa harina with the warm water. Stir the mixture thoroughly to create a solid ball of rehydrated masa. Add the lard, baking powder, stock, and salt, whisking thoroughly or, if you are using a mixer, blend on medium speed for approximately 5 minutes. Set the mixture aside until ready to assemble the tamales.

ASSEMBLE THE TAMALES

Separate the corn husks and place them in a large bowl or your kitchen sink and add enough warm water to completely submerge them. Let the husks soak until they become relatively soft and pliable, at least 30 minutes.

Remove the husks from the water, separate completely, and pat them dry with a clean towel.

Prepare the ties for your tamales by tearing several of the husks into strips 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) wide until you have 24 strips. Gently tie a knot at a narrow end of each strip and tear the opposite end to double the strip length to about 12 inches (30.5 cm) long. Repeat with the remaining strips.

Place a large corn husk on a clean flat surface with the shortest side facing you and the smooth side facing up. Spoon approximately 1/4 cup (60 grams) masa dough on the upper center of the husk and, using a butter knife or the back of the spoon, spread it into a square shape across the width of the husk to approximately 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick. Be sure to leave approximately 1/2 inch (13 mm) on the top and sides of the husks plain to allow for easier rolling.

Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons (30 grams) pork mixture in an even line along the center of the masa and gently fold the husk over widthwise to completely encase the filling and form a tight tube.

Fold the bottom of the husk up toward the center of the tamale and tie with the prepared strip of corn husks. Be sure to leave the top of the husks open. Repeat with the remaining corn husks and masa dough.

Fill a large stockpot 1/4 full with warm water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Line a steamer basket with several unfilled corn husks. Place the prepared tamales upright with the open tops facing towards the top of the steamer basket and top with additional corn husks. It’s perfectly fine (and actually necessary) to stack the tamales one atop another.

Cover the steamer basket with a tight-fitting lid and place on top of the stockpot with the boiling water and steam until the batter pulls away easily from the husks, checking occasionally to see if the pot needs to be replenished with water, about 1 hour total.

TESTER TIP: When heating the water to cook the tamales, drop a clean coin in the pot. As the water boils, the coin will rattle, letting you know that the water has not boiled dry. If the coin stops rattling, you know that it’s time to add more water. Or just set your iPhone timer for every 10 or 15 minutes and check the water level.

Turn off the heat and let the tamales rest in the basket for at least 30 minutes, until they begin to firm. And then dig in! (It’s astounding how quickly tamales disappear in contrast to how long it takes to make them!)

Notes

Leftover pork–Extra pulled pork filling can be used in tacos, sandwiches, enchiladas, or as a topping for a rice bowl.

Filling tips–When filling your tamales, make sure you spread the filling on the smooth side of the husk. This will allow the filling to release easily from the corn husk.

Storage–Store leftover tamales in a sealed container or resealable bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Gently reheat in a steamer.

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS: 32 | SERVING SIZE: 1 Tamale

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long does it take to cook the pork shoulder for the filling?

The pork shoulder is slow-roasted in the oven for approximately 3 1/2 to 4 hours at 275°F (135°C) until it becomes tender and falls apart when pressed with a fork.

Can I make the red chile pork filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the red chile pork filling ahead of time.

After cooking and pulling the pork, you can cover and refrigerate it overnight before assembling the tamales.

How spicy are the tamales with the chipotle and guajillo chiles?

The spiciness can vary based on personal preference and the specific chiles used.

The combination of chipotle and guajillo chiles provides a mild to medium level of heat, but you can adjust it by using more or fewer chiles or choosing hotter varieties.

Can I substitute lard with a different fat in the tamale dough?

Yes, you can use vegetable shortening as a substitute for lard in the tamale dough if you prefer a vegetarian option.

How many tamales does this recipe make?

This recipe yields approximately 32 tamales. Each tamale will have a filling of red chile pork and masa dough, wrapped in a corn husk and steamed to perfection.

Can I use a different type of chile for the red chile sauce?

While the recipe calls for dried guajillo chiles, you can experiment with other dried chiles to adjust the flavor and spice level to your preference.

Can I make the tamale dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the tamale dough in advance and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble the tamales.

How do I know when the tamales are cooked and ready to eat?

The tamales are done when the masa dough pulls away easily from the corn husks and the filling is cooked. This usually takes about 1 hour of steaming.

Can I freeze the leftover tamales?

Yes, you can freeze the leftover tamales for later consumption. Just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap or foil and store them in an airtight container before freezing.