Step 1

Make the masa. Cook the chiles and garlic in the braising liquid until limp, then puree into a paste in a blender. Add this to the fresh masa, lard, salt and baking powder and knead until cohesive. (See note below on fresh masa)

Step 2

Make the filling. Saute the garlic with the torn up chiles in a little lard until fragrant. Cover with water or braising liquid from the venison and simmer until soft, about 10 minutes. Puree in a blender. Mix this with the spices and herbs and the shredded venison.

Step 3

Spread the dough. Place the corn husk wide side away from you. Smear some masa dough in the center of the husk, about 1/4 inch thick or less. Leave 2 to 4 inches room on the top and bottom of the husk, and about an inch or so on the sides.

Step 4

Fill the tamales. Add about a tablespoon of the venison filling to the center of the spread-out dough. Leave enough space around the dough so you'll be able to fold the tamal over.

Step 5

Fold the tamales. Fold the tamal over sideways, touching the ends of the dough together. Usually the easiest way to do this is to fold the husk itself over. Tuck one end of the husk over the tamal, then roll the husk over to form a cylinder. Fold up the bottom to seal. If you want, tie the tamal with some string or strips of corn husk.

Step 6

Steam the tamales. Set up your steamer. This should be a tall, large pot with a vegetable steamer set inside. it. Pour in enough water to just barely touch the base of the steamer. Line the steamer with a few spare corn husks. Set each finished tamal, open side up, into the steamer. When they're all in, cover the pot and steam for at least 1 hour, and up to 80 minutes.

Step 7

Serve the tamales. When they're ready, unwrap the tamales and serve with a sauce and some onions that have been soaked in lime juice for an hour or so.