Lard alternative in Tamales?

Question

Has anyone ever tried a different ingredient in place of lard for tamale masa? If so...what was the ingredient? How did it come out? Thanks!

Answer 1

You know, why fix something if it ain't broken?

Answer 2

Lard may have the meat fat and the cholesterol but shortening is the only alternative and it is synthetics with transfats. So no, I would say there isn't much of an alternative that makes tortilla type things healthier, including the breading around a tamale.

You could try flat pancake style version of masa made with a mild cornbread batter? You want it very flexible. This would be corn flavored like the masa but breadish like a pancake or cornbread. It is worth a try.

If that doesn't work, when I think of tamales I think of a very distinct flavor, apart from a lot of typical Mexican food that is the same ingredients built differently or served with a different sauce.

What you can do is recreate that flavor in the meat and sauce and I don't know what it is, then pour over cornbread or make it into a cornbread casserole. It would require some imagination but if you are a creative cook you can throw something together using basic principles.

Answer 3

Lard is the best for flavor, but Crisco or butter will work as well. They are equally as unhealthy as lard.

Olive oil is the healthiest. The masa won't fluff up the way it should, and it won't taste good.

Answer 4

Crisco or some other vegetable shortening. But the lard gives it the best flavor.