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Oscar2

Dec 17, 2009, 11:36 AM

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Tamales and Christmas

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I rang Conchita, my annual tamale connection. A little girl with a squeaky little voice picked up the phone and although she was saying something, I couldn’t understand her. She sounded so cute but I couldn’t make sense of what she was saying between her squeals and yelps all I could say was, can I speak to Conchita, then I asked for her grandmother and yes, I was rapidly getting nowhere .

I called back two more times and no cigar. Apparently la muchachita was on a temporary phone assignment until I called back later and made connection with Conchita. She laughed and said of her 2 year old granddaughter, no se aguanta esta muchachita. Apparently Conchita was unaware the little girl was answering the phone. We talked a bit about the year that just past and came to an agreement on 4 dozen tamales.

I ordered a dozen de Puerco and a dozen of sweet mixed pineapple, raisin and coconut and the same order for close friends of ours. This will be the first time ordering sweet tamales; I’m living dangerously… ;-) We will, as usual, consider other dishes for our annual Christmas Family gathering dinner. We might go with honey baked ham this year but it’s still a bit early and decisions are still on the table. What are your considerations this year….

esperanza

Dec 17, 2009, 11:39 AM

Post #2 of 14 (6597 views)

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Re: [Oscar2] Tamales and Christmas

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http://mexicocooks.typepad.com/...christmas-tamal.html

http://mexicocooks.typepad.com/...ake-and-tamales.html

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Rolly

Dec 17, 2009, 12:55 PM

Post #3 of 14 (6582 views)

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Re: [Oscar2] Tamales and Christmas

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I love sweet tamales. I especially like sweet potato tamales, but none of my cooking friends want to make them. They think it is too strange. Too bad.

Rolly Pirate

Anonimo

Dec 17, 2009, 1:10 PM

Post #4 of 14 (6581 views)

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Re: [Oscar2] Tamales and Christmas

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Quote

We might go with honey baked ham this year but it’s still a bit early and decisions are still on the table. What are your considerations this year….

PIerna de Cerdo Adobado, sweet potatoes, ejotes con pimiento morrón, and it goes on from there.

Buen provecho,
Anonimo

Papirex

Dec 17, 2009, 2:09 PM

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Re: [Rolly] Tamales and Christmas

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I too love sweet tamales. My favorite is the red ones, I think they are made with strawberries or maybe raspberries. The ones with piñas (pineapples) are very good too. Most people NOB have never heard of a sweet tamal. I think the only “Mexican” food they ever tried was at Taco Bell.

My wife and her Mom often bring back some great tamales they buy in México City on their monthly trips there, usually a mix of those with red Chile, green Chile sauce and sweet tamales. I like to eat the sweet tamal last, it kills the fire from the others.

We had a Mexican friend in Anchorage that would sometimes give us some sweet tamales. I don't know where she got them, they were probably homemade somewhere. If you buy tamales in a store, you can bet the rent that they will be substandard and basically flavorless.

You haven't lived until you try a sweet tamal.

Rex
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

Oscar2

Dec 17, 2009, 2:10 PM

Post #6 of 14 (6567 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Tamales and Christmas

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Rolly and Anonimo,

Never have had sweet potato’s tamales, but since I really like sweet potato’s, I’d certainly give them a whirl. I also noticed Anonimo having sweet potato’s as well. Which bring to mind something I especially enjoyed my wife made just last week. Yes, sweet potato’s but with a slight twist that made them dreamy good-ah!

I asked, what the heck did you put in these things that made them so delicious and she said, just a half a teaspoon or vanilla extract. A treasure of a taste, of course with a smidge of honey and butter, as kickers.

Speaking of ejotes, last week while at Costco, for the first time I saw and bought packaged frozen breaded green beans akin to fried zucchini. They were delicious.

Oscar2

Dec 17, 2009, 2:27 PM

Post #7 of 14 (6565 views)

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Re: [Papirex] Tamales and Christmas

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I agree, “good” tamales are a rare breed and ground roots hunting sometimes can take a long time. Luckily, annually they have a tamale fest and give awards and recognition to the best competitor. Yes, I was lucky and latched on to my Conchita, competition winner and just a very nice señora. She makes them out of her home year around. As mentioned, she got me into some sweet tamales this year. I picked them up tomorrow. Yummm

Oscar2

Dec 20, 2009, 12:52 PM

Post #8 of 14 (6488 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Tamales and Christmas

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Okay, I may get some flack behind this one but thus far we went to the second of Christmas house parties last night and I’d never had guess it but the tamales were meaty, juicy red and the maza wasn’t to shabby.

Our 3rd and last Christmas party (besides the one I throw Christmas day for my immediate family), is tonight where I can sort of let my hair down and imbibe a little more because I can relax a few days afterwards and get my senses about me from the sleight hang over which seems to get stronger as I get younger……

No kidding the tamales weren’t half bad at all and I know you’ll guess which major discount house sells them but lets see who can make mention of this correct, very popular store, which exists even in the states, and who have them available at good prices…..?

(This post was edited by Oscar2 on Dec 20, 2009, 12:53 PM)

Anonimo

Dec 22, 2009, 3:30 PM

Post #9 of 14 (6409 views)

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Re: [Oscar2] Tamales and Christmas

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Quote

No kidding the tamales weren’t half bad at all and I know you’ll guess which major discount house sells them but lets see who can make mention of this correct, very popular store, which exists even in the states, and who have them available at good prices…..?

¿Wal-Mart?

Saludos,
Anonimo

Oscar2

Dec 23, 2009, 12:59 PM

Post #10 of 14 (6374 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Tamales and Christmas

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Anonimo,

I know, it may sound far fetched and yes, honestly I was very surprised with their meatiness, and the juiciness of their salsa. The maza wasn't half bad either. It was Costco. But then again, we're talking state-side, so there may just be different vendors, don't know.

Incidentally, my wife has decided to serve a variety of dishes for Christmas. I thought it was a bit much until she said in would be small portions so everyone can get a sampling of each. Her main course will consist of Fillet Minion, Spiraled Ham, and Prime Rib. The other dishes will be brought by other relatives.

thriftqueen

Dec 23, 2009, 6:16 PM

Post #11 of 14 (6350 views)

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Re: [Papirex] Tamales and Christmas

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If you buy tamales in a store, you can bet the rent that they will be substandard and basically flavorless.

Disculpe, I'm living in my home state of New Mexico and anyone from there will tell you one can find delicious tamales at any number of places here. I just bought 2 dozen pork, 1 dozen chicken tamales to serve Christmas eve. As a matter of fact my daughter and I had to sample them for lunch today ummm, ummm!!!! Costco and Sam's both stock the local made in ABQ tamales. I'm sure other areas stock different brands made in various places.

Anonimo

Dec 24, 2009, 5:54 AM

Post #12 of 14 (6320 views)

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Re: [thriftqueen] Tamales and Christmas

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With the help of a savvy amiga, we are arranging about 1 dozen homemade tamales; all meat or cheese and green chile, por favor. However, they probably won't be here in time for Christmas Eve.

It will be nice to have someone else prepare them after our extensive Christmas dinner prep, which started today at 3:30 a.m.

Saludos,
Anonimo

thriftqueen

Dec 24, 2009, 10:09 AM

Post #13 of 14 (6297 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Tamales and Christmas

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I know what you mean about those preps. My family always gets together for Christmas eve and the traditional NM Mexican foods. I used to make my own tamales. I worked with the local public utility in the construction area. When I took my homemade tamales the Hispanic guys there raved about them telling me the tamales were the best they had ever had.

I have the posole on cooking at this time. I just told my daughter in law I am getting ready to pass the torch. LOL. I was taught to make proper posole back in the '60's by my Hispanic girl friend (her grandmother taught her) the secret I learned from her was to rinse the posole corn well, and while the meat is cooking, in a separate pot boil a bit of pig skin and when it is thoroughly done, blend it well with some of the cooking liquid. Add this to the posole pot as it simmers. It gives it a delicious taste that I've never found in other posoles.

wendy devlin

Dec 24, 2009, 6:03 PM

Post #14 of 14 (6274 views)

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Re: [Oscar2] Tamales and Christmas

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This is one of my favorite tamale stories.

When we stayed one winter in Melaque one winter for five months, an elderly man would pass by the house, randomly(or so it seemed to me) with his cry of 'TAMALES!!!!'

His tamales, made my his wife that day, were fresh and delicious and spoilt us for any others.

Planning to have a birthday party for mi eposo, and to include all the trabajores building the bridge next door during our stay, I commissioned the tamale man to provide tamales for la fiesta.
Date and time of delivery pre-arranged. (or so I thought)

A few hours before the fiesta, the tamale man, came by, saying, 'No tamales'.
It was a bit of a scramble(not impossible though) to get another menu together in time por la fiesta. Plus the easy back-up plan of buying mas cerveza.

Afterwards, when I mused on the situation, I thought perhaps, I had inadvertedly put undue pressure on the tamale man and his wife. They had their scene. It wasn't a catering type enterprise. A few years later, when our daughter learned to make tamales from scratch in Mexico. And then went on to make ALL of the tamales for a small restaurant in Canada for many years, I learned during the 'work party' how much time and effort, it takes to make quality tamales.

And why. So many are made at one time for special events. Frozen and reheated. No thanks!