Colombian Tamales (Tolimense Style)

Step 1

Day 1. Blend all the ingredients of the marinade in a blender or food processor.

Step 2

Put the pork meat in two resealable bags or in glass/plastic bowls and add the marinade. Close the bags, massage them well to make sure the meat is well covered with it 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 leaves out of each bag and cut them into rectangles, approx. 20 inches long (50 cm) each.

Step 5

Clean both sides of each leaf with a damp cloth or paper towel. If the leaves are stiff, you can pass them through a stove burner set to 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 food coloring/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 on medium heat and add the green onion and garlic, cook for 2 minutes. Add the red bell pepper and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes or until they're softened. Add the chicken bouillon, food coloring/all-purpose seasoning, cumin, salt and pepper and stir well. Add a bit of water if the sauce is too thick.

Step 9

To make the masa (dough): Place the water for the masa in a large pot over medium low heat, add the chicken bouillon, food coloring/all-purpose seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin 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 wooden spoon until it looks like thick oatmeal. If the masa is too thick, you can add more water. Add the sweet peas, the rice and pork lard, stir well and remove from the stove.

Step 10

To assemble the tamales: Place 3-4 pieces of banana leaves one on top of the other on a flat surface.

Step 11

Spread about about ¼-½ cup of masa in the center of the leaves.

Step 12

Place 2 carrot slices, 2 potato slices and ½ an egg in the masa.

Step 13

Place 1 piece of pork rib, 1 piece of pork belly and 1 piece of chicken over the masa.

Step 14

Add 1 tbsp of guiso over the meat.

Step 15

Add a bit more masa over the guiso.

Step 16

Close the tamal by grabbing all sides of the leaves towards the center forming a ball at the bottom and then tie it with the butcher string going around 3-4 times. Cut off the excess leaves if you want. Repeat this process with every single tamal.

Step 17

To cooke the tamales: Fill ¼ of a large pot (Tamalera) with water and season with salt. Place a steam rack inside the pot to avoid letting the tamales touch the bottom or the water. Bring water to a boil. **Note: If you don't have a steam rack you can place sticks or left over banana leaves in the bottom of the pot instead.

Step 18

Place the tamales on the steam rack one on top of the other and steam them on low heat for about 2½ hours. Check the water level every 30 minutes to prevent it from evaporating completely.

Step 19

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