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How to make the best masa for tamales

Masa for Tamales

Sandy
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cuisine Mexican

Ingredients
  

  • pounds lard second choice: vegetable shortening
  • 5 pounds fresh ground masa (masa sin preparar para tamales NOT masa harina
  • 1 cup broth or cooking liquid from your meat mixture or low sodium beef, pork, chicken or vegetable broth
  • 5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Note: If you are using a hand mixer, divide the ingredients in half and mix in 2 batches. This amount of masa and lard will burn out a hand mixer.
    Beat lard with a stand mixer (or a hand mixer and two large bowls) to the consistency of whipped cream (takes about 15 minutes on highest setting).
    Add ⅓ of masa a little at a time in small, golfball sized pieces.
    Sprinkle baking powder and salt over the lard mixture. Beat until well combined.
    Add remaining masa a little at a time in small, golfball sized pieces.
    With the mixer on slow speed, add the beef broth into whipped lard and masa mixture while the mixer is going.
    Turn the mixer to high and continue whipping the mixture until a small spoonful of masa floats in cold water.
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