Re: Nice Post!

I grew up with those tamales and dated a girl who worked at the restaurant. I met with the chef talked him into making some veg...that was 30 years ago. I have refined andthis is what turns out best for my diet...if you live in SoCal and not as picky an eater as I am seek out El Cholo!!!


The Best Fresh Corn Tamales

24 ears yellow corn
8 ounces cornmeal
2 ounces olive oil
3 ounces vegan margarine(or 2 oz more olive oil.
1/4 cup maple syrup (maple butter is best if avail)
1 teaspoon salt
12 (1 ounce) strips Soy Cheddar cheese
1 (24 ounce) can green chiles, cut into strips (or fresh,steamed)
12 squares parchment paper
String

Cut both ends of the corn, remove husks and save for wrapping. Shave the corn kernels off the cob. In a food processor, grind the kernels with the cornmeal, yet a mortar works better. Don't over squish! You want chunk,not whole kernels.

Beat the oil and margarine together until creamy. Add the maple and salt. Add the corn mixture and mix well.

To assemble , over lap two cornhusks. Spoon/Spread some of the corn mixture onto the husks. Place 1 soycheese strip and 1 chili strip on top of the corn mixture. Top with more corn mixture. (Use approximately 8 ounces of corn mixture per tamale.) Bring the edges of the cornhusks over the filling to cover completely.

Place each tamale on a square piece of parchment paper. Fold ends of cornhusks, then fold sides of parchment over tamale and fold up ends. Tie a string around the ends to hold in place.

Place tamales on a rack and steam for 35 to 40 minutes.

Makes 12 (8 ounce) tamales.

Source: El Cholo Mex restaurant in L.A. (Best margaritas in the U.S.)

Somer, if you have a killer pizza dough recipe I'd love to see that...we don't get good pizza here on the island...a friend fedexed 50 pounds of semolina 00 flour from Italy for my 50th b-day...it is so good that you can't mess it up. I've made sourdough and great breads as well. I'm always open to a new pizza dough recipe! It's hard to be consistant w/the humidity! Open to tips! We love our soy pizza...

Ok...I'm gonna quit...I'm not cleansing and this may be construed as torture!

aloha...Detour