Swiss Chard Tamales (Aguascalientes)

Aguascalientes Swiss Chard Tamales Recipe

This typical Aguascalientes dish combines the soft texture of corn dough with the fresh flavor of Swiss chard, creating a tamal full of tradition and flavor. Perfect for those looking to enjoy traditional Mexican food with simple and vibrant ingredients.

Preparation time

So you can organize your kitchen, here are the times needed to prepare these tamales calmly and precisely:

• Preparation: 30 minutes
• Cooking: 90 minutes
• Total: 2 hours
• Servings: 8 to 10 tamales
• Difficulty: Easy

These times allow each step to be developed well, guaranteeing a tender and flavorful result.

Ingredients

For the dough

• 500 grams of corn dough for tamales
• 150 grams of lard
• One teaspoon of salt
• 150 milliliters of chicken broth (hot)

For the filling

• 300 grams of clean and chopped chard
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

For assembly

• Banana leaves (clean and passed through hot water to make them flexible)

If you can't find banana leaves, you can use aluminum foil for wrapping, although the leaves provide a special aroma during cooking.

Utensils we will use

• Steamer pot or any deep pot with a steaming rack
• Frying pan for sautéing the filling
• Large bowl for mixing the dough
• Knife and cutting board
• Spoon and spatula for working the dough
• Tongs or pincers for handling hot leaves

Preparation

1. Prepare the Swiss chard filling

1. Wash and chop the chard. Remove thick stems to prevent them from being fibrous and then cut into small pieces to facilitate cooking.
2. Sauté the onion and garlic. Put the oil in the pan over medium heat, add the chopped onion and cook until transparent. Add the garlic and mix for a couple of minutes to release its aroma.
3. Add the chard and cook. Incorporate the chopped chard into the pan and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook it until it loses volume and is tender when poked. This ensures a smooth and well-integrated filling.

2. Prepare the tamal dough

1. Beat the lard. Using a hand or electric mixer, beat the lard until it has a creamy and light texture; this helps the dough become fluffy.
2. Mix the dough. In a large bowl, place the corn dough and add salt. Gradually incorporate the beaten lard, alternating with hot chicken broth to moisten the dough evenly.
3. Check the consistency. The dough should be soft and moist but not sticky. To check, take a little, form a ball, and press it lightly; if it appears crumbly when opened, add a little more broth.

3. Assemble the tamales

1. Prepare the leaves. Pass the banana leaves through hot water to soften them, then dry them lightly so they don't overly moisten the dough.
2. Place the dough on the leaf. On the widest part of the leaf, spread a thin and even layer of dough (approximately one large tablespoon).
3. Add the filling. Place a portion of the chard filling in the center of the dough.
4. Close and wrap. Fold the sides of the leaf towards the center, covering the dough and filling, then fold downwards to form a compact package.

4. Cook the Swiss chard tamales

1. Prepare the steamer. Place a layer of banana leaves at the bottom to prevent the tamales from sticking and to add aroma.
2. Place the tamales. Arrange them upright, leaning on each other to form a pyramid so that the steam cooks them evenly.
3. Steam cook. Cover the pot and cook for approximately an hour and a half over medium heat; the sign that they are ready is that the dough easily detaches from the leaf.

To finish and serve

Carefully remove the tamales, letting them cool slightly before unwrapping so they maintain their shape. Serve hot, accompanied with red or green sauce to your liking. These tamales are ideal for family breakfasts or dinners where the authenticity of traditional Mexican cuisine is valued. Also, you can accompany them with atole or coffee for complete enjoyment.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 280 kcal
• Proteins: 6 g
• Fats: 14 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g

These values are estimates per serving and may vary depending on the ingredients used.

5 practical tips for perfect Swiss chard tamales

For your chard tamales to have an unbeatable texture and flavor, it is important to consider some key details.

1. Use fresh banana leaves. Hydrate them well so they don't break when wrapping and to transmit their characteristic aroma during cooking.
2. Beat the lard well. This step gives the dough sponginess, resulting in soft and light tamales.
3. Prevent the dough from being dry. Add hot broth little by little and test the texture before assembling the tamales.
4. Cook the tamales well covered. 1. The steam must circulate correctly, which is why the pyramid formation helps with even cooking.
5. 2. Let the tamales rest once cooked. 3. This allows the dough to finish settling and makes it easier to peel off the leaf when serving.

When is it ideal to enjoy Swiss chard tamales?

The 4. swiss chard tamales 5. are an excellent dish for family gatherings or traditional celebrations that invite sharing a special moment, such as Candlemas Day or national holidays. They are also perfect for cold seasons in winter, as they are a comforting and nutritious food. Their delicate flavor and the presence of vegetables make them a suitable option for complete breakfasts or light dinners in the Mexican cuisine. 6. . The simplicity of the ingredients does not detract from the charm of their preparation, which can be a beautiful project to cook at home with your loved ones.

7. Take a look at this practical guide to complement this traditional recipe and understand in detail the preparation technique required for 4. swiss chard tamales.

Comparative table with recipes similar to Swiss chard tamales

Share your experience preparing Swiss chard tamales

After trying this homemade recipe for 4. swiss chard tamales, don't hesitate to leave a comment telling us how they turned out, what variations you made, or if you added any special sauce to accompany them. The traditional cuisine is enriched with every shared experience. Your opinion can inspire others to venture out and enjoy this typical dish from Aguascalientes.

Culinary glossary for preparing Swiss chard tamales

• Corn dough: Flour prepared from nixtamalized corn, a base for many Mexican dishes.
• Lard: Pork fat used to give softness and flavor to tamal dough.
• Swiss Chard: Green leafy vegetable, rich in fiber and used as a filling in these tamales.
• Nixtamalization: Process applied to corn to make it edible and give better characteristics to the flour.
• Banana leaves: Used to wrap tamales and impart a characteristic aroma during steaming.