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Monday, November 30, 2009

twisted tamales


T
echnically speaking these are not really tamales and on that same technical note they are not really pasteles either so then what are they? We could call them pastmales or tamasteles but thats just shaking the tree a little too hard so they will be known as banana leaf tamales.



Sometimes I just "unique" myself all the way to the next county and this is one of those times. Banana leafs lend such a select flavor to foods that makes them unmistakeably Caribbean.



I ground up all the pieces of turkey that no one would want to eat - you know the skin and all those trimmings when you take the carcass down to nothing to make broth



....and this was processed with dried mulato, anaheim, chipotle, paprika, and guajillo chiles along with oregano and garlic until it was a nice mix.



Corn masa was made and the meat was spooned and the banana leaves folded and the pot was stuffed. This is how they looked before I wrapped them in parchment and tied them off with string before simmering for an hour in hot broth.



This is one of those rare instances where hot sauce seems to be the right condiment. I am submitting this to Natasha at 5 Star Foodie for her Makeover Challenge.

37 comments:

Mo Diva said...

GENIUS! they look like yuca pasteles!

I only eat pasteles with hot sauce!
gorgeous!

Marjie said...

Well, it's a makeover of so many things my head is spinning! Looks great.

vanillasugarblog said...

Love this! Nicely done Dog.

Anette said...

They look good! Way to treat leftovers with respect!

pigpigscorner said...

wow very nice!

Heather S-G said...

Jealous...I want some!

The Duo Dishes said...

Chez Doggy would be a great name for your restaurant. When is it opening????

Anonymous said...

What a great way to use Thanksgiving leftovers!

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Banana leaf tamales is a perfect name for them! And I love all the chilies you are using here!

Mardi Michels said...

I love this twist on tamales! We actually have banana leaves in our freezer (as you do!) so might have to try them out sometime! Bookmarked for future reference.

Fresh Local and Best said...

I love this twist on tamales! This was a great idea for turkey leftovers!

teresa said...

you have a meat grinder, jealous! these look incredible!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

You know what I love about your blog? Your inventiveness (and your humor of course). I mean, who thinks to grind up the skin and unmentionables?

Lauren said...

YUM! What a great idea to grind those little bits up. I used to love my meat grinder, but had actually totally forgotten I had it. Time to drag her out...

Cynthia said...

I love anything wrapped and cooked in banana leaves. I am trying the Trinidadian Pastelles soon.

Jeanne Estridge said...

Intriguing. What do banana leaves taste like? Are they fibrous?

Juliana said...

Wow, what an interesting way to make tamales...looks delicious!

Cate O'Malley said...

Such beautiful little packages of deliciousness!

Bob said...

Nice, they look wicked good. Tamales are one of the first things I'm going to make when I get my new kitchen set up.

theUngourmet said...

Very nice! I can't imagine attempting this myself so why don't you send some over?!

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Oh wow what an awesome meal! You took something as typical as a roasted turkey and turned it into something completely different...yum!

Jenn said...

We've got a winner here!! I miss having tamales. Perfect use of the turkey!!

Donna-FFW said...

Holy cow, are you a culinary genious or something?

MrsLavendula said...

ive never had tamales before but it looks good!

Admin said...

Nice looking tamales. Just had a very, very disappointing one from a local gyro joint (and what the heck was I thinking getting a tamale from a gyro joint, anyway?) and am now craving some really good homemade tamales.

FOODalogue said...

Now that's an inspired use of leftovers! Love it...but don't know if you (I) need a hot sauce condiment with all the heat already in it. Perhaps a squeeze of fresh lime. Keep shaking that banana tree!

Tanya Kristine said...

an infusion of flavors...looks heavenly.

Jill said...

I was worried about the dried mulato...spelling aside...until I followed the link

buffalodick said...

Fusion cooking at it's best!

La Bella Cooks said...

This looks delicious. Well done!

Sippity Sup said...

I agree This make over hits on so many levels. Great Job! GREG

Angel said...

I COULD EAT THIS DOG!!!!!

Miranda said...

WOW! You are one extrememly talented man! I love tamales and have made them a few times!!!
These look fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Diva on a Diet said...

Fantastic entry, doggybloggy! You've even got me craving all of those leftover bits I usually pass by. Well done, dude!

Tangled Noodle said...

These tamales are amazing! Now I'm kind of glad that I'm behind in reading your posts - if I'd seen this beforehand, I might've chickened out on sending my turkey leftover wrap to Natasha's round-up!

Anonymous said...

One of my favorite food! I gotta learn how to make those.

Joanne said...

Tamales, pasteles...what's in a name as long as it tastes delicious! Looks great.

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