Bean and Cheese Tamales

Total time: 1hr 55 min
Prep: 45 min
Cook: 1 hr 10 min

Yields: 8 tamales

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon canola oil
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon chopped garlic
• 2 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 Tablespoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt & pepper
• 2 cups cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated cheese (I used cheddar)

Directions:

1. Put the oil into a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove half and reserve it for the tamale dough.
2. To the pan with the remaining onions add the beans, hot sauce, chili powder and season with salt & pepper, to taste. Stir to combine and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl combine the cornmeal, 1 teaspoon of salt and the baking powder. Cut the butter into the cornmeal using a form or a pastry blender. Add the broth, a little at a time, until the dough comes together. Mix in the reserved cooked onion and garlic.
4. Cut parchment paper into 8 (8 by 8-inch) squares. Spread 1/3 cup of the tamale dough onto the center of the paper and lightly press it into a circle. Put a heaping tablespoon of the beans on top with a tablespoon of cheese. Bring the 2 corners of the paper at the end of the rectangle up to encase the beans and cheese with the tamale dough. Fold the corners together a couple of times. Fold the other sides over to cover the seam and turn right side up. Continue this process with the remaining dough and filling.
5. Put a steamer basket into a large pot and add enough water to come just below the basket. Cover the pot and put it over medium-low heat to bring the water to a simmer. Put the tamales in the steamer basket. Cover and steam the tamales until dough is cooked through, about 1 hour, check after 30 minutes, you may need to add more water to the pot. Remove the tamales from paper wrapping and serve warm.

*I recommend trying to get tamale dough as thin as possible and add more then 1 tablespoon filling if possible. You may want to make a sauce for the top, melt cheese, or add hot sauce.

~Recipe from Sandra Lee's Sandra's Money Saving Meals on foodnetwork.com