"Delicious Elote Tamales Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Authentic Mexican Street Food"

#### Description:If you're a fan of Mexican cuisine, you’ve likely come across the delightful and savory flavors of tamales. Among the many variations, the……

#### Description:

If you're a fan of Mexican cuisine, you’ve likely come across the delightful and savory flavors of tamales. Among the many variations, the **elote tamales recipe** stands out for its unique twist, incorporating the sweet and buttery essence of elote, or Mexican street corn. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of making these delicious tamales from scratch, ensuring that you can recreate this beloved dish in your own kitchen.

#### What Are Elote Tamales?

Elote tamales are a delicious fusion of traditional tamales and the flavors of elote, which is grilled corn slathered in mayonnaise, cheese, chili powder, and lime. The combination of sweet corn and savory masa creates a perfect balance that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. This recipe is perfect for family gatherings, parties, or simply when you're craving a taste of Mexico.

#### Ingredients for Elote Tamales Recipe

To make authentic elote tamales, you will need the following ingredients:

- **For the masa:**

- 2 cups masa harina (corn dough flour)

- 1 cup vegetable shortening

- 1 teaspoon baking powder

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 to 1.5 cups vegetable broth or water

- **For the filling:**

- 2 cups fresh corn kernels (or canned if fresh is not available)

- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese

- 1/4 cup mayonnaise

- 1 teaspoon chili powder

- Juice of 1 lime

- Salt to taste

- **For assembly:**

- Dried corn husks (soaked in warm water for about 30 minutes)

#### Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Prepare the Corn Husks:**

Start by soaking the dried corn husks in warm water for about 30 minutes. This will make them pliable and easier to work with when wrapping the tamales.

2. **Make the Masa:**

In a large mixing bowl, beat the vegetable shortening until fluffy. Gradually add in the masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Slowly add the vegetable broth or water until you achieve a smooth and spreadable dough. The consistency should be similar to peanut butter.

3. **Prepare the Filling:**

In another bowl, combine the fresh corn kernels, cotija cheese, mayonnaise, chili powder, lime juice, and salt. Mix until well combined. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.

4. **Assemble the Tamales:**

Take a soaked corn husk and spread about 2 tablespoons of masa dough onto the center. Press it down slightly to flatten. Place about 1 tablespoon of the corn filling in the center. Fold the sides of the husk inward and then fold up the bottom to secure the filling. Repeat this process until all the masa and filling are used.

5. **Steam the Tamales:**

Place the tamales upright in a steamer pot. Fill the bottom with water, making sure it doesn’t touch the tamales. Cover with a damp cloth and steam for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the masa easily separates from the husk.

6. **Serve and Enjoy:**

Once cooked, let the tamales cool for a few minutes before serving. They can be enjoyed on their own or with a side of salsa, crema, or additional lime juice.

#### Conclusion

The **elote tamales recipe** is a delightful way to experience the flavors of Mexico right in your home. With a bit of patience and practice, you can master the art of tamale-making and impress your friends and family with this delicious dish. Whether it's a festive occasion or a simple weeknight dinner, these tamales are sure to be a hit! Enjoy your culinary adventure and savor every bite of these scrumptious elote tamales!