Recipe Swap

~Tamales
3 dozen corn husks (or parchment paper cut into 8 x 5” rectangles
3/4 lb. beef finely ground or use shredded beef
1 garlic clove minced
1 T. bacon fat or 2 T.  chicken fat
1/2 c. beef broth
4 T. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin powder
1 tsp. salt
1 c. warm water
3 c. yellow cornmeal finely ground
1 c. lard
1 tsp. salt

Soak corn husks  or banana leaves in hot water until pliable about 1 hour.
Large skillet  brown beef with garlic in bacon fat or use shredded  beef. Add broth- chili powder- cumin ñ salt. Simmer uncovered- adding more broth if necessary to make a thick- moist sauce (a little over 1 cup.

Combine 1 cup warm water with cornmeal. Let stand. Cream lard with salt until fluffy. Add cornmeal mixture - beat well. Combine corn meal mixture ñ meat. Spread mixture in husks- leaving a 1” edge untouched by filling. Roll husk to form a tight wrapper around the filling- tie each end with a string or twist tie.

Stand tamales upright on a rack above 1” of water in tall pot ñ narrow enough to keep them from tipping over. Cover loosely - steam 45 minutes.

~Chili for  the spread
1 c. onion chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
2 T. cooking oil
1 lb. ground chuck lean
2 c. BBQ sauce  UR choice
1 tsp. salt
1/4 c. chili powder
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 tsp. ground cumin
2)  15 oz. cans pinto beans drained

Sauté  onion with garlic in cooking oil in  Dutch oven. Add ground chuck ñ  cook until well-browned- stirring to break up meat. Drain excess oil.

Add all remaining ingredients EXCEPT beans. Bring to boil- cover- simmer 40 minutes- stirring occasionally. Add beans. Simmer- partially covered- 15 minutes more.

Spread~
1 bunch scallions- chopped (tops ñ  green part
12 ozs. cheddar cheese grated
Corn Chips as garnish

Preheat oven 350° F.  Butter a broad shallow casserole or two smaller ones –leave  enough space to spread out tamales. Remove tamales from their husks - layer them on the bottom of casserole dish . Top with chili ñ a sprinkle of scallions ñ a layer of cheese. Bake 20-25 minutes, until cheese begins to brown. Garnish with a sprinkle of corn chips.

Note~ this is really good.  Buy tamales -if U don’t want to make them.