Tamales de Ceniza

Ingredients

• 3 cup masa harina (read note 1)
• 1 1/2 cup pork lard, melted (or extra virgin olive oil)
• 1 cup refried beans
• 2 teaspoons chile de arbol roughly crushed (or chili flakes)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• salt (to taste)
• 10 almond leaves or banana leaves (or 10 sheets of parchment paper, 8×6 inch/20x15cm each.)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Make the dough ---

2. 2

   Place masa harina, salt, baking powder, and water in a large bowl.

3. 3

   Mix with your hands to combine all ingredients (read note 2).

4. 4

   Knead until you will have a soft dough that doesn’t stick to your hands.

5. 5

   Add the melted lard to the dough and combine.

6. 6

   Add chile de arbol flakes and refried beans, then mix with a spatula until everything is combined.

7. 7

   --- Wrap the tamales ---

8. 8

   Add some tamales dough in the middle of a leaf or a parchment paper sheet.

9. 9

   Wrap by first folding the top side towards the center.

10. 10

    Then both sides also to the center overlapping one another.

11. 11

    Close the tamal by folding upwards the lower pointy side.

12. 12

    --- Cook ---

13. 13

    Place all tamales standing up on a steamer.

14. 14

    Cook over medium heat for 1 hour and 15 minutes, checking occasionally and adding more water to the steamer when needed.