PgrancerThe family recipe box

Sides · Breads

Masa para Tamales (Tamale Dough)

Source
Cookbook clipping ("Tortilla & Tamale Dishes", p. 98)
Serves
16 small tamales
Cuisine
Mexican

With this dough and the recipes on the following pages, you can make a variety of tamales.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups instant masa
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1-1/4 cups lukewarm broth or water
  • 2/3 cup lard or vegetable shortening

Steps

  1. Combine instant masa, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
  2. Work in broth or water with your fingers to make a soft moist dough.
  3. In a small bowl, beat lard or shortening until fluffy. Add to masa mixture and beat until dough has a spongy texture.
  4. Place a cupful of water nearby. Continue to beat dough until a small piece placed on the surface of the water floats.
  5. Prepare tamales with desired filling. Makes enough dough for about 16 small tamales.

tamalesmasacookbook