Step 1

Day 1. The night before, blend all the marinade ingredients in a blender or food processor.

Step 2

Put the pork belly, pork ribs and chicken pieces in large resealable plastic bags or large plastic bowls and add the marinade. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Step 3

If you're using frozen banana leaves, you can thaw them out by leaving them in the fridge overnight.

Step 4

Day 2. Carefully take the banana leaves out of the bag and cut them into rectangles, approx. 20 inches long (50 cm).

Step 5

Clean both sides of each leaf with a damp cloth or paper towel. If the leaves are fresh and stiff, you can pass them over a stove burner set to low or medium low for a few seconds to soften them. This also helps to avoid cracks.

Step 6

Peel and cut the potatoes into thick slices and place them in water in a medium bowl. Season the water with salt and the all-purpose seasoning to taste if you want.

Step 7

Peel and cut the carrots into slices and place them in water in a small container. Season the water with salt to taste if you want.

Step 8

To make the guiso or seasoned sauce: In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the onion, cook for 3-5 minutes or until it is translucent. Add the green onions and garlic and cook for 1-2 more minutes. Now add the red bell pepper and the tomatoes, reduce the heat to low and cook for about 8-10 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Add the all-purpose seasoning, chicken bouillon and salt and pepper. Stir well and add about ½-1 cup of water to thin it out.

Step 9

To make the masa (dough): Place the water for the masa in a large pot, add the onion powder, garlic powder, chicken bouillon, all-purpose seasoning and salt. Heat the water on the stove without bringing it to a boil. Then, slowly add the pre-cooked corn meal and stir with a spatula or a wooden spoon until it looks like very thick oatmeal. If the masa gets dry, you can add more water. Add the peas to the masa, stir well and remove from the stove.

Step 10

To assemble the tamales: Place two banana leaves (or more, if needed) one on top of the other in the form of a cross. Make sure the underside (the side with the grooves or veins) is facing up and the top side (smooth) is facing down.

Step 11

Spread about about ¼-½ cup of masa over the leaf with a spoon.

Step 12

Add one tbsp of guiso over the masa.

Step 13

Place on sprig of parsley over the guiso.

Step 14

Place 2 potato slices and 2 carrot carrot slices in the masa.

Step 15

Add about 3-4 tbsp chick peas.

Step 16

Now add 1 piece of longaniza, 1 pork rib, 1 piece of pork belly and 1 piece of chicken over the masa. If you want, you can add more masa on top.

Step 17

Close the tamal by placing the sides of the leaf towards the center and tucking them in, fold in the top and bottom sides as well to make a packet. Tie it all up with butcher string. Repeat this process with every single tamal.

Step 18

To cook the tamales: Fill ¼ of a large pot (tamalera) with water and season with salt. Then, place a steam rack inside the pot to prevent the tamales from touching the bottom or the water, bring the water to a boil. Note: If you don't have a steam rack you can place sticks, small rocks or left over banana leaves in the bottom of the pot instead.

Step 19

Place the tamales on the steam rack one on top of the other and steam them on low heat for about 2 hours. Check the water level every 30 minutes to prevent it from evaporating completely.

Step 20

Once the tamales are ready, take them out and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.