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–+ servings
Tamales de acelgas con queso recipe.

Tamales de Acelgas con Queso

author Maricruz Avalos Flores
14 tamales
These easy tamales are packed with Swiss chard, carrots, potatoes, and cheese for a comforting and tasty Mexican dish. A perfect recipe for beginners and home cooks.
prep 30 minutes
cook 1 hour 30 minutes
total 2 hours
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Ingredients 

  • 14 corn husks (soaked in warm water until soft)
  • 4 cups masa harina
  • 1 cup melted lard (or your fav oil)
  • 13 oz swiss chard
  • 1 medium carrot (shredded)
  • 1 medium potato (shredded)
  • 2 cups cheese (panela, queso fresco, or mozzarella - cut into small pieces)
  • 3 ½ cups chicken stock
  • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
  • salt (to taste)

Instructions
 

Make the dough

  • Place the masa harina in a large bowl. Add salt, baking powder, melted lard, and chicken stock. Mix until the dough looks fluffy and sticky.
  • Stir in the shredded carrot and potato. Then add the chopped Swiss chard and mix until everything is well combined. Taste the dough and adjust the salt if needed.

Assemble

  • Drain the corn husks and pat them dry.
  • Spread some masa in the center of each husk and add a few pieces of cheese in the middle.
  • Fold the sides of the husk toward the center, then fold the narrow end upward. Repeat until all your tamales are assembled.

Steam

  • Prepare a steamer pot and fill it with water just below the steamer basket.
  • Stand the tamales upright with the open side facing up.
  • Bring the water to a boil, cover, and steam for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, adding more water as needed.
  • Let the tamales rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Add a little more broth if the masa feels dry.
  • If the husks tear, use two together.
  • Don’t pack the tamales tight, the steam needs space.
  • Tamales will be ready when the masa pulls away from the husk without sticking.
  • Let them rest before eating so they firm up.
  • Leftovers can be stores in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • To reheat, use a steamer and reheat with the husks on, or remove the husks and reheat in the microwave.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1tamal | Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 707mg | Potassium: 330mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2921IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 199mg | Iron: 3mg