Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran sweet corn and cilantro mini tamales stuffed with red beans, roasted tomato sauce, and fresh cheese cream
An original recipe inspired by traditional Salvadoran flavors: small sweet corn tamales blended with cilantro, filled with seasoned red beans, steamed in banana leaves, and served with roasted tomato sauce and a mild fresh cheese cream.
Ingredients
- 500 g fresh sweet corn kernels (for the dough)
- 60 g corn flour (for dar cuerpo)
- 20 g fresh cilantro (solo leaves and stalks tiernos)
- 45 g butter (derretida)
- 120 g fresh cheese (divided entre dough and cream)
- 8 g salt (divided to taste)
- 240 g cooked red beans (escurridos)
- 120 g white onion (mitad for relleno and mitad for sauce)
- 6 g garlic (chopped)
- 30 ml vegetable oil (divided)
- 1 g ground cumin (for the relleno)
- 450 g ripe tomatoes (for roasting)
- 80 g green sweet pepper (in strips or trozos)
- 120 ml Salvadoran cream or sour cream (for the cream of queso)
- 15 ml lime juice (for the cream)
- 6 pieces banana leaves (10 in)
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. Clean the banana leaves and pass them for a few seconds over a hot skillet or directly over a flame until they change color and become flexible. Set aside.
- 2
2. For the dough, blend the corn kernels, corn flour, cilantro, melted butter, 60 g (2 oz) of the fresh cheese, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until you get a thick, slightly coarse mixture.
- 3
3. For the filling, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add half of the chopped onion and the garlic, and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add the red beans, cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Lightly mash and cook 4 minutes more until thick. Let cool.
- 4
4. Preheat the oven to 400 °F / 200 °C. Place the tomatoes, sweet green pepper, and remaining onion on a tray. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and roast for 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft and lightly charred at the edges.
- 5
5. Blend the roasted tomatoes, sweet green pepper, roasted onion, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. For a finer texture, cook the sauce for 5 more minutes in a saucepan over medium heat. Keep warm.
- 6
6. For the cream, crumble the remaining 60 g (2 oz) fresh cheese and mix it with the Salvadoran cream or sour cream, lime juice, and a pinch of salt until creamy.
- 7
7. Assemble the mini tamales by placing a portion of dough onto each banana leaf. Make a small well in the center, add a spoonful of the red bean filling, and cover with a little more dough. Fold the leaves to seal each packet well.
- 8
8. Place the tamales in a steamer over boiling water. Steam for 25 minutes, or until the dough is set and releases easily from the leaf.
- 9
9. Let the tamales rest for 5 minutes before opening. Serve hot with the roasted tomato sauce and the fresh cheese cream on top or on the side.
Chef tips
If the dough seems too loose, add 1 or 2 extra tablespoons of corn flour. For deeper flavor, let a few tomatoes char well while roasting.
Substitutions
You can use cooked black beans instead of red beans. If banana leaves are unavailable, use parchment paper and then foil to wrap, though the traditional aroma will be milder.
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 imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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