Serves: 16
Total Calories: 18

16 corn husks, plus extra to line the steamer
1 cup cooked corn kernels, fresh or frozen
2 large jalapeño peppers, seeded, and cut into thin strips
1/2 cup crumbled cotija or mild feta cheese
2 cups fresh tomato salsa, purchased or homemade

1. Prepare the tamale dough and keep it at room temperature. Soak the corn husks in hot tap water for 2 hours.

2. Remove the corn husks from the water and put on a plate. Cover with a clean damp kitchen towel to keep moist. Put 1 husk on a flat surface. Put about 3 tablespoons dough in the center of the husk and spread into a 1/4-inch-thick rectangle to within 1 inch of the wide end and about 3 inches from the pointed end. Put about 1 teaspoon corn kernels on the dough and press them into the dough. Add 2 to 3 strips of chile, and 1 teaspoon cheese. Overlap the sides of the husk over the filling. Fold the pointed end toward the wide end and put on a plate, folded side down. Repeat with the remaining husks and filling.

3. Put about 3 inches of water into a large steamer and drop in a coin. (A rattling coin means there's still water in the pot.) Line the steamer rack with extra corn husks. Arrange the tamales folded ends down on the husks. Cover with more corn husks or aluminum foil. Tuck a kitchen towel on top and put on the lid. Bring to a boil. Steam the tamales 1 hour or until the dough is firm and the husk pulls away from the dough. Do not let the steamer boil dry. If the coin stops rattling, very cautiously add hot water. Serve the tamales with fresh tomato salsa to be added at the table.

From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 16
Total Calories: 18
Calories from Fat: 7

More Recipes from the 1,000 Mexican Recipes Cookbook:
* Enchiladas, Tamales, and Tortilla Casseroles
Baked Aztec Chicken Casserole
Basic Corn Tortilla Dough
Basic Corn Tortillas
Basic Crepes
Basic Tamale Dough
Black Bean Enchiladas
Cheese Enchiladas in Red Sauce
Cheese and Tortilla Casserole
Chicken and Tortilla Casserole with Green Sauce
Corn Crepes
Corn Crepes with Chicken and Corn
Crepes with Corn Mushroom
Folded Tortillas in Bean Sauce
Folded Tortillas in Pasilla Chile Sauce
Folded Tortillas in Tomato Sauce
Fresh Corn Tamales
Masa Dumplings
Meatball and Tortilla Casserole
Mushroom Crepes
Pork and Tortilla Casserole
Potato and Tortilla Casserole
Seafood Enchiladas
Stacked Beef Enchiladas
Swiss Enchiladas
Tamales Wrapped in Swiss Chard
Tamales in Banana Leaves, Oaxaca Style
Tamales with Beef or Pork
Tamales with Chicken
Tamales with Jalapeños, Cheese, and Corn
Tamales with Shrimp
Tamales, Monterrey Style
Tortilla, Bean, and Corn Casserole
Tortilla, Corn, and Zucchini Casserole
Tortillas in Ancho Chile and Red Pepper Cream Sauce
Turkey Enchiladas in Green Sauce
Vegetable Enchiladas
Vegetable Tamales with Black Bean Sauce
White Flour Tortillas
Yucatán Tamale Pie