Cheese & Roasted Pepper Tamales

Ingredients

25 corn husks
5 poblano peppers (or other peppers of your choice), diced and roasted
1 1/2 pounds cheese (such as Monterey Jack), shredded

Masa:
5 cups corn masa flour
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons salt
6+ cups vegetable broth
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Soak corn husks in water for at least half an hour. Prepare masa by combining dry ingredients, then adding broth and oil. If necessary, add more broth until the consistency is similar to a thick cake batter. (It's important that it's not too runny or too stiff.)

Shake off excess water on a corn husk and lay it down with the wide side at the bottom. Add a layer of masa about a centimeter thick, leaving about an inch on the sides and a couple inches at the top. Add cheese and roasted peppers in a line in the middle.

Fold the sides in, and then fold the top over. Place upright in a steamer.

Continue for the rest of the tamales. Steam for 2 hours or until masa is spongy and comes easily off the corn husk.

If you have the equipment, these are great to make in bulk and freeze. Just reheat them in the microwave or by steaming for an easy and delicious meal!

Fish Tacos

Everyone knows tacos are delicious.  Have you had them with fish lately?

 

Ingredients

(for about 8 tacos)

½ pound tilapia or other white fish

8 corn tortillas

Marinade:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 tablespoon lime (or lemon) juice

1 teaspoon honey

1 garlic clove, minced

½ teaspoon cumin

sprinkle of chili powder

dash of salt and pepper

splash of hot sauce, according to desired spiciness

Garnish: 

diced tomato

sliced avocado

chopped cilantro

thinly shredded cabbage (or lettuce)

limes for extra spritzing

Mix together the marinade ingredients in a small baking dish and place the fish in it, making sure there's sauce all over the fish. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours.

Bake the marinated fish at 325°F (165°C) for about 15 minutes or until fish is soft and flakes easily. Meanwhile, chop up the garnish ingredients.

When the fish is cooked, remove it from the oven and break it into small pieces, stirring to mix it completely with any remaining marinade sauce.  Heat the tortillas and fill them with all the ingredients.  Add extra hot sauce or a sprinkle of lime juice if desired.

Rica Horchata

A sweet and refreshing Mexican drink--prepare it in the morning and enjoy it as a cool afternoon treat!

 

Ingredients

1 cup white rice

5 cups water

½ cup milk

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Blend the rice and water in a blender for about a minute.  Let sit for at least three hours.

Strain the liquid into a pitcher with a coffee filter or other straining device.  Put the liquid back into the blender and mix in all the other ingredients.  (You can use the soaked rice to make rice pudding if you like.)

Refrigerate and enjoy!

Best Ever Quesadillas

Ingredients

(for two quesadillas)

4 flour tortillas

1½ cups shredded cheese, your favorite blend (I like cheddar with monterey jack or mozzarella)

½ a brown onion, sliced in thin strips

1 bellpepper, also sliced in thin strips

3 cloves garlic, minced 

olive oil

½ a tomato, diced

sprig of fresh chopped cilantro

dab of guacamole

salt and pepper

Put a dab of olive oil into a frying pan and cook the bellpepper, onion slices, and garlic over medium heat.  While it's cooking, sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.  When it's well cooked and fairly soft, remove from the pan.

Turn the heat down to low.  Add another small dab of olive oil and put one of the tortillas onto the pan.  Quickly add a layer of cheese, some of the bell pepper and onions, another layer of cheese, and the other tortilla on top.

Once the cheese starts to melt and hold the tortillas together, flip it over and let the other tortilla cook.  After the cheese is thoroughly melted and both tortillas are the same size, transfer it onto a plate and cut it into fours.  Sprinkle chopped cilantro and diced tomatoes on top, as well as guacamole and sour cream, if desired.  Repeat for the other quesadilla.