My Tamales Masa comes out VERY dry... What can I do to add Moisture?!


Question: My Tamales Masa comes out VERY dry!.!.!. What can I do to add Moisture!?
Hi there!

I have a base:

3 parts Masa Harina to 2 parts water to 1 part lard!.

When steamed for 45 minutes, the masa is VERY VERY DRY!. any ideas to get the masa moist!? almost a "melts in your mouth" texture!? I was thinking of adding butter!.!.!. but I'm not sure where to go from here!.!.!.

What have you experienced!?Www@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
You might be on the right track with your fat idea!. Your masa might need more fat to have a moist mouthfeel!. I think you should stick with lard, or maybe add some vegetable oil if you're feeling healthy!. Butter might taste good, but I suspect its flavor will be overwhelmed by the other ingredients!. For the record, lard has less saturated fat than butter!.

But before you add more fat, add more water to your masa!. Get the masa to the texture of pudding or a milkshake, quite soft!. I've seen it almost watery in texture!. It should not be a stiff paste!. So try more water first, and if your tamales are still too dry, add more fat!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Ohhh dear if you love your cardio health keep away from the lard theres other ways to prepare a fantastic Tamale and moist

Ingredients
5 lbs!. lean pork or beef, cooked and shredded
6 to 7 lbs!. fresh masa
1 cup of olive oil
1/4 cup of butter
1 tbls!. salt
1 1/2 pts!. red chili sauce
1 bundle oujas (corn shucks)
Directions

To make tamales, cook meat by boiling in a large covered pot with enough water to cover completely!. Add salt to taste and slow boil till completely done!. Cool meat and save broth!. When meat has cooled, shred and mix in the chili sauce

Corn Shucks:
To prepare the corn shucks ( outer husks), soak them in a sink or large pot of warm water for about 2 hours or until soft!. Gently separate without tearing!.

Masa:
(make masa by hand or with mixer) Mix the masa, olive oil , salt and enough broth to make a smooth paste!. Beat till a small amount (1 tsp) will float in a cup of cool water!. Spread masa (1/8 to 1/4 inch thick layer, or to preference) on ouja, add a small amount of meat and roll up!. Fold up ends of ouja and place(fold down) on a rack in a pan deep enough to steam!. Add 1 to 2 inches water, cover with a tight fitting lid and steam about 1 1/2 hours!. (a cloth can be used under the lid to make a tighter fit)

Many variations of ingredients can be used in making tamales!. You can use a combination of beef and pork, use chicken or even fried beans!. One or two olives may be added to the center or try adding a few raisins!.
This recipe will make 4 to 5 dozen tamalesWww@FoodAQ@Com

I use veg oil and butter!. did you mix masa completely with water/lard!? Nothing should be 'dry' if it is steamed for 45 minutes even with lard!. Is your pot large and steamy enough!?Www@FoodAQ@Com

Serve with salsa!. Or boil in chicken stock for 2 min!.Www@FoodAQ@Com





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