Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran corn and tomatillo mini tamales with ricotta-style cheese and herb filling
Original mini tamales inspired by Salvadoran flavors, made with soft corn dough blended with roasted tomatillos and filled with ricotta-style fresh cheese, cilantro, and scallion. They are wrapped in husks or parchment and served with a light tomato and toasted pumpkin seed sauce.
Ingredients
- 300 g nixtamalized corn masa (for the dough base)
- 250 g tomatillos (without peel, for roasting)
- 45 g butter (derretida)
- 180 ml warm water (ajustar si hace falta)
- 6 g salt (divided)
- 180 g ricotta-style fresh cheese (for the relleno)
- 20 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 40 g scallion (finely chopped)
- 6 g garlic (chopped fino)
- 220 g ripe tomatoes (for the sauce)
- 80 g white onion (en trozos)
- 25 g pumpkin seeds (tostada)
- 15 ml vegetable oil (for the sauce)
- 1 g dried oregano (for the sauce)
- 8 unit corn husks or parchment for cooking (remojadas si usa tusas)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Preheat a griddle, skillet, or oven to 220 °C / 425 °F. Roast the tomatillos, tomatoes, and white onion for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, until softened and lightly charred. Set the tomatillos aside for the dough and the tomatoes and onion aside for the sauce.
- 2
2. Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Set aside.
- 3
3. In a bowl, mix the ricotta-style fresh cheese with the cilantro, scallion, half of the minced garlic, and 2 g salt (about 1/3 tsp). Stir until evenly combined and set aside.
- 4
4. Blend the roasted tomatillos with the warm water until smooth. In another bowl, combine the nixtamalized corn masa with the melted butter, the remaining 4 g salt, and the blended tomatillo mixture. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes until you have a soft, moist, but shapeable dough.
- 5
5. Blend the roasted tomatoes, roasted onion, toasted pumpkin seeds, vegetable oil, the remaining garlic, and dried oregano, adding 60 ml extra water if needed to help it blend. Transfer the sauce to a saucepan and cook over medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- 6
6. If using corn husks, drain them well. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Place one portion onto each husk or parchment piece and flatten into a small rectangle.
- 7
7. Add a generous spoonful of the cheese filling to the center of each portion. Close the dough around the filling and wrap well with the husk or parchment to form compact mini tamales.
- 8
8. Arrange the mini tamales in a steamer over boiling water, cover, and steam over medium heat for 25 minutes, maintaining steady steam at approximately 100 °C / 212 °F.
- 9
9. Remove one mini tamale and let it rest for 3 minutes; if the dough feels set and releases easily from the wrapper, they are ready. If needed, steam 5 minutes longer.
- 10
10. Serve the mini tamales hot with the tomato and pumpkin seed sauce spooned over or on the side.
Chef tips
For a lighter texture, beat the melted butter into the masa for a minute before adding the blended tomatillos. Do not add too much water at once so the mini tamales hold their shape.
Substitutions
You can replace the ricotta-style cheese with crumbled fresh cheese for a firmer filling. If miltomates are unavailable, use similar green tomatillos. Pumpkin seeds can be replaced with toasted sesame seeds, though the flavor will change.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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