I am making tamales for the first time this year, and most of the recipes I have gotten have called for a steamer. I don't have a steamer, but I do have a wok that can be used for steaming. Will this work and how should I do it?
2006-12-15 10:21:19 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Ethnic Cuisine
A wok will work. What you need to do is place the water or broth in the bottom of the wok. Your wok should have a steamer rack that came with it. Put the steamer rack in the wok over the hot liquid and place the tamales on the rack. Cover the wok and steam away.
You can also buy a cheap steamer insert to fit in a soup pot at almost any supermarket.
2006-12-15 10:25:04 · answer #1 · answered by JUDI O 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Now we know why there are so many questions about tamales. We even created a question and then deleted and just dove in. This is really one of those recipes you have to watch someone make. Well, here it is 2am and have completed our first ever batch. Used a soup stock pot with a large vegetable steamer (collapsible type) on the bottom. Filled the bottom with water up to the steamer and it drank it dry in 30minutes - the smell after that was horrific. Has taken two hours to steam them done - had to keep adding water. There are 3dozen in there. Just tried one and it tastes authentic. Can't even imagine that a wok would handle these. This is only half of what we prepared to steam. Maybe a lidded turkey roasting pan with a cookie cooling rack in the bottom...
2006-12-20 03:23:45 · answer #2 · answered by Quest 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a good wok, go BACK to the store and find a bamboo-steamer that will fit that wok !!
Bamboo steamers are TERRIFIC... I have two, so I can prep dishes, and then just set in wok, steam... and replace with the next steamer. Also, because the steamer lid is woven bamboo, you end up with little condensation making foods "soggy".
Here in California I can drop in a resturant store, a Cost Plus, or gourmet shop and pick up a two layer steamer for about 17-23 dollars.
Should work FINE for Tamales... I use mine for many things including a Philippine derivation of the tamale (no, not lumpia).
Enjoy your cooking !!
2006-12-15 18:48:59 · answer #3 · answered by mariner31 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a cheap veggy steamer should work. You have to keep the tamales up above the water in a WOK. a veggy steamer will set you back maybe 15 bucks at a Wal Mart
2006-12-20 13:22:12 · answer #4 · answered by fourwheeln05 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I use my bamboo steamer with my wok for making tamales. You've got to have a way to trap the steam so it cooks the tamales while keeping the tamales out of the water.
2006-12-15 22:14:38 · answer #5 · answered by psycho-cook 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i used a stock pot and put some corn husk in a ball to lean the tamales in and steamed it in there, but i recently bought a steamer and it was like 20 bucks with shipping. today is my first day using it, and it looks cool. i got it on line at mexgrocer.com, and about the wok i don't know if it will work, it has to be sealed tight so it can steam.
2006-12-16 12:17:38 · answer #6 · answered by frany 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no... the wok won't really allow the tomales to be close enough together to not fall apart. there are some places that sell bamboo steamers for rather low prices. or, you can get a pasta pan that has a steamer insert. either way, would you be so kind as to send me a couple of them when you're done? haven't had a real tomale since... well... if i told, that would give my age away!! LOL
2006-12-15 18:25:01 · answer #7 · answered by wrldzgr8stdad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you dont have to use a steamer..the way my mother makes tameles ( we're peruvian) is that she jsut gets the pot and boil hot water into them then just wrap the tamales really good so no water goes through and your done!
2006-12-16 12:15:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
put your basket or stand in the wok. put a small amount of water - don't let it touch the food. Cover Steam
2006-12-15 19:01:34 · answer #9 · answered by djm749 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋