The Dish: Tamales de Dulce

Are you ready for a taste of the Cinco de Mayo celebration? We're creating a perfect Mexican sweet treat.

The Dish: Tamales de Dulce "Sweet Tamales"
The Restaurant: Red Lulu, Salem Mass.
The Chef: Jimmy Christensen Jr.

Ingredients:

--24 Tamales
--2 dozen dried cornhusks (can be substituted with 8" X 4" sheets of kitchen parchment)
--2 cups. masa harina (corn flower)
--¨÷ cup lard (can be substituted with margarine or unsalted butter)
--1½ tsp baking powder
--1½ tsp salt
--1½ cups warm stock
--½-1 cups sugar (to taste)
--1 cup raisins plumped in water
--1 cup slivered almonds
--Red food coloring

Procedure:

1.) Soak cornhusks in hot water until softened.
2.) Cream the lard until light and fluffy.
3.) Mix the masa harina with baking powder, sugar and salt, and beat into the lard in small amounts.
4.) Beat in stock to make a soft paste.
5.) Shake excess water from cornhusks.
6.) Spread 1 tablespoon of the dough on the center of cornhusk. (Leave room to fold over the top and bottom edges).
7.) Add 1 tablespoon of combined raisins (drained) and almonds.
8.) Fold cornhusk and dough over the filling so that it is completely covered, folding from top and bottom.
9.) Arrange tamales over the steamer rack stacking loosely to allow for the dough to expand. - Tamales should not come in contact with the water.
10.) Steam for about an hour or until dough comes away from husks when unrolled.
11.) Served with Mexican chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream.