Vegan Tamales

I love Mexican food.

My southern California roots have me on a perpetual search for the creamiest refried beans, the most authentic taco & of course the perfect tamale.

I'll admit, I've always had a pound of lard lying await in my refrigerator, just in case a craving strikes. 

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Gather the yummy stuff…

However... 

Making a big batch of tamales is the most perfect way to spend a chilly day indoors.

(We are in the midst of a nasty noreaster, here on the Cape, as we speak.)

MY FAVORITE FOOD TO HUNKER DOWN? HANDS DOWN - MEXICAN WINS

There's nothing like having a small surplus of tamales in the freezer to reheat when you're having a Mexican food emergency.  

While looking at traditional tamale recipes, my first question was how do I  replace the fat in the masa dough, without losing flavor and without using animal fat or processed oils.  Avocado is the first thing that comes to mind and the clear winner.  Using a high quality vegetable stock, in place of water,  adds a lot of added flavor as well.  

Here's a list of what you'll need -

ALL Ingredients:

• 1 8oz package of dried corn husks

MASA DOUGH INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5 avocados mashed

• 1 tbs sea salt

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tbs mexican oregano

• 1 tbs thyme

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 2 1/4 C high quality vegetable stock

FILLING INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Vidalia onion, diced

• 2 C black beans (or pinto)

• 1 serrano chile, diced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1.5 C corn kernels 

• 2 4.5 oz cans green chiles

• 2 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp red pepper flakes

• salt and pepper to taste

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This being my first stab at a vegan tamale, I think I had pretty good success overall.

I'm excited to try a mixture of refried pintos with avocado and jalapenos.  There are so many variations for curious experimentation!  

Don't forget to garnish your masterpiece with some spicy green sauce and diced up avocado & tomato salsa…

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Roasted corn, black bean & green chile vegan tamales

Now for the play-by-play…

Instructions:

1. Soak your corn husks in a big bowl of cold water, for about 30 minutes.

2. Prepare your masa dough..

3. Mash your avocado and place it in your stand mixer, with your salt, baking powder, oregano, thyme & garlic powder.  Scrape down the sides of your bowl and add half of your masa flour, while mixing on low speed.  Add half of your vegetable stock and then the rest of your masa.  Mix until the dough starts to come together and is well blended.  

4. Prepare your filling..

5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 

6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

7. Chop your garlic cloves, serrano chile and onion.  Add them to the rest of your ingredients in a bowl and toss with your seasonings.  The juice from the green chiles will be enough liquid for roasting.  Place your vegetables on the prepared baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes.  

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NEXT ON THE VEGAN TAMALE MAKING AGENDA…

Assemble your tamales…

1. Start by putting about 1/3 cups of masa on your husk.

2. Spread it out, leaving about a 2" border around the sides.

3. Place 1/4 cups of filling in the center and roll the husk to close it.

4. Fold one end of the husk over and tie it with either twine or a long strip of husk.  I had a bit of difficulty using the husk and found bakers twine to be more user friendly. 

5. Place all your tamales in the steamer and simmer for about 1.5 hours.  

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VEGAN TAMALES AT HOME

THE PLAY-BY-PLAY IN PHOTOS

MAKE VEGAN TAMALES - CORNER OF YUM

MAKE VEGAN TAMALES - CORNER OF YUM

MAKE VEGAN TAMALES - CORNER OF YUM

MAKE VEGAN TAMALES - CORNER OF YUM

MAKE VEGAN TAMALES - CORNER OF YUM

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All Done!

Fresh and made with love - right from your very own kitchen.

Good job! 😋

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Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pecans (with coconut oil - YAY!)

A creation near & dear to my heart…

Cookies with coconut oil instead of butter.

I created this recipe, not because I hate butter but because I may need a piece of toast sometime in the not so distant future and I'm low on butter.  (Yes, I'm eating bread this week.) 

However, I realize some of you may face an opposite problem and be quite low on coconut oil.  In which case, you may substitute butter, with the same measurements.  However..  the coconut oil gives it the yummy coconutty flavor and crispy, crunch edges,  I was kind of reaching for.  

Ok, let's do this..

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pecans and Coconut Oil...

Ingredients:

• 2 and 1/4 C flour 

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 eggs 

• 1 C coconut oil

• 1 C brown sugar

• 1/2 C white sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 C shredded coconut

• 1 C chopped pecans

• 2 C chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. * Preheat oven to 375 degrees

2. * Whip together your coconut oil and sugars until nice and creamy.

3. * Add eggs one at a time

4. * Add vanilla

5. * Mix together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl and then add to wet mixture, blending well.  

6. * Add coconut, chopped pecans and chocolate chips until combined.

7. * Place round 2" balls of dough on your baking sheet, lined with parchment paper.

8. * Bake until golden, about 20-25 minutes.  

YUM. YUM, YUM…YOU’RE ALL DONE!

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All Done!

Fresh and made with love - right from your very own kitchen.

Good job! 😋

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Creamy Butternut Bisque

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Cold rainy day?

I think, we all think: SOUP

Sometimes a comforting bowl of soup is all you need on a chilly, rainy, fall evening.

This is so easy with just 5 ingredients.  Make extra and freeze it or bring over a jar to your neighbor.

Ingredients:

• One medium butternut squash

• 2 cups chicken stock

• 1/2 stick of butter

• One medium onion

• 2 cups of milk or half and half

• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Saute onions in butter until soft

2. Add chicken stock and cubed butternut squash and cook until squash is soft.

3. Add milk and puree with an immersion blender.

4. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Enjoy with a slice of delicious sourdough toast and a tossed salad.  

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All Done!

Fresh and made with love - right from your very own kitchen.

Good job! 😋

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