Photo by Madame Donna C. : food porn,flavor...

Comments: 26

Sherrie H. Apr 5, 2009, 8:41pm EDT

Um, tamales?

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Duckie 1 Apr 5, 2009, 9:31pm EDT

Of all Mexican dishes, Tamales is my least favorite... but your photo is giving me second thoughts.

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Lou Anne L. Apr 5, 2009, 9:35pm EDT

I live for authentic tamales...I could eat my share of these...!!!!!

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Katrina Hall Apr 5, 2009, 9:46pm EDT

Boy, what a great photo! I've never eaten tamales (embarressed look) - do you eat the corn husks?

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Madame Donna C. Apr 5, 2009, 10:01pm EDT

Sherrie, you posted before I captioned! Thanks.

Duckie, tamales are not high on my list usually either. This meal was a request and it came out just great!

Lou Anne, If you want authentic tamales, I can do that! Here have one....

Kat, thanks. No you don't eat the husk. The husk is what holds the ingredients together so they can steam and "gel." In South and Central America, the wrap would be a banana leaf or a variety of other leaves. In the Carribbean, their version is a pastillito but in Puerto Rico they use coconut milk and banana leaves in their recipes. I made a Mexican version of a tamale. It's a spicy pork filling atop a layer of masa, then sprinkled with cheese, wrapped in the husk and steamed for a couple of hours. A wonderful portable meal!

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Madame Donna C. Apr 5, 2009, 10:05pm EDT

Oh, as an aside, if Sonia can verify this, I've heard that the Cuban variety is the same as the Mexican tamale and very spicy as well which isn't necessarily a Cuban trait. In fact, in the Phillipines, it's rice based but I don't remember the name they call it. Does that ring a bell, Duckie?

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Duckie 1 Apr 5, 2009, 10:20pm EDT

Are you talking about the sweet Suman which is glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and sugar then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed?

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Duckie 1 Apr 5, 2009, 10:22pm EDT

We also make another version made out of ground cassava... gosh, now I'm hungry.

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Jan S. Apr 6, 2009, 1:18am EDT

This is such a wonderful close up, I feel like I could pick one off the monitor! I'm hungry now. Thanks for posting to Cook it up Big!

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Magi the magical poet is riding the wind again Apr 6, 2009, 6:34am EDT

Moreish!

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Marianne M. Apr 6, 2009, 1:46pm EDT

What a beautiful photo, Madame Donna! I have had tamales prepared in this way and they were wonderful.

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J F. Apr 6, 2009, 10:01pm EDT

Look nice, but think I could eat them.

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Sue * Apr 6, 2009, 10:44pm EDT

I'm more about tacos and enchiladas, but I've never had a homemade tamale. I have a feeling that would make a big difference! These are beautiful!

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Madame Donna C. Apr 7, 2009, 9:47pm EDT

Duckie, not the Suman. That's the sweet one with rices, right? I'm thinking of one they call Kakanin, i think. My Filipino friend calls it that. It's with toasted rice (both brown and white) but otherwise quite similar to the Mexican tamale. It can have a variety of meats inside too. Do you know what I'm talking about?

Thanks, Jan!

Magi, I look forward to cooking for you someday.

Marianne, thank you.

J F, I just had them judged today and I scored 9 out of possible 10. I think that means I made a terrific tamale. If you ever want to taste, call me.

Sue, I used to be more about the more common Mexican foods too until I learned about Mexican cooking. It's a vast arena of deletable combinations that astound the tastebuds. A good tamale is total comfort food with high flavor! Homemade certainly is superior to packaged no matter what food we are talking about!

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Robyn F. Apr 7, 2009, 10:13pm EDT

i love these!!

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Dorine H. Apr 8, 2009, 10:22pm EDT

Look at all the lick marks on my screen!

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sally g. Apr 13, 2009, 12:34pm EDT

looks good

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Madame Donna C. Apr 15, 2009, 12:50am EDT

Thanks, Robyn.

Dorine, here's a napkin.

Thanks, sally.

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Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 16, 2009, 10:55pm EDT

A truly professional tamale photo Madame. I can almost taste its moist corn goodness....

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Ms. Meacham: Money Maven Apr 16, 2009, 10:56pm EDT

P.S. We now have an option to feature photos in groups. Hooray! As such, this is the first featured photo for the Frugal Eats group. Thank you so much for the submission.

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Madame Donna C. Apr 22, 2009, 11:08pm EDT

Ms. Meacham, thank you very much!

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Marilee C. Apr 23, 2009, 9:38am EDT

I can almost taste them by looking at the picture. Delicious!

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Duckie 1 Apr 23, 2009, 10:59am EDT

I'm glad I stalked Marilee's comment here, I saw your question, Madame D...

Yes, in the Philippines, it is called Kakanin when it's a savory. When it's sweetened, it's called Suman . Other regions might even call it differently according to their dialects, understand? In all instances however, the wrapper of choice is banana leaves and the ingredient is always rice or grated cassava with choices of fruits or meats depending on whether to go with the savory or sweet route.

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