17+ Christmas Eve Tamale Recipe Elevate Your Taste Buds!
Published on: Mar 8, 2024
Christmas Eve is a time of joy, celebration, and most importantly, delicious food. While there are many traditional dishes served during this holiday, one that stands out amongst the rest is the Christmas Eve tamale. These tasty treats have been a staple in many households for generations, and it's no surprise why. Not only are they delicious, but they also bring a sense of community and togetherness as they are often made with the help of family and loved ones. In this article, we'll share with you a professional and well-organized tamale recipe that will surely become a favorite in your household. So let's get cooking!
Christmas Eve is a special time for many families, and one of the traditions that often accompanies this holiday is the making of delicious snacks. This recipe for Mom’s Secret Christmas Eve Chex Mix is a crowd favorite and will have everyone coming back for more. The secret ingredient? A sprinkle of holiday magic, of course!
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Main Ingredients: Flour, Salt, Sugar, Yeast, Water, Orange Juice, Orange
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Christmas Eve Calamari
Main Ingredients: Calamari, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Large Yellow Onion
For those who love seafood, Christmas Eve is the perfect time to indulge in some delicious calamari. This recipe for Christmas Eve Calamari is crispy, flavorful, and sure to be a hit with your holiday guests. Serve it up with a squeeze of lemon and some homemade dipping sauce for the perfect appetizer.
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In many Italian households, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is a traditional Christmas Eve celebration. This meal consists of seven different seafood dishes, symbolizing the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Recipes for this feast can vary, but some popular dishes include fried calamari, linguine with clams, and baccalà (salted cod).
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Christmas Eve Guacamole
Main Ingredients: Haas Avocados, Lime Juice, Green Onion, Diced Green
Guacamole is a classic party dip, and this recipe for Christmas Eve Guacamole is no exception. With the addition of festive ingredients like pomegranate seeds and cilantro, this guacamole is sure to be a standout at your holiday gathering. Serve it with some tortilla chips and watch it disappear!
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Main Ingredients: Warm Water, Dry Active Yeast, All Purpose Flour, Oil
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Main Ingredients: Bread, Ham, Cheddar Cheese, Large Eggs, Black Pepper
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For a fun and colorful drink to serve at your Christmas Eve party, try this Christmas Grinch Juice. It’s made with lemon-lime soda, pineapple juice, and a splash of green food coloring to give it that signature Grinch hue. Add in some vodka for an adults-only version.
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Christmas Eve Sweet Snack Mix
Main Ingredients: Shreddies Cereal, Milk Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter
If you’re in need of a simple and delicious snack to munch on while waiting for Santa to arrive, look no further than this Christmas Eve Sweet Snack Mix. It’s a combination of pretzels, cereal, and M&M’s all coated in a sweet glaze and sprinkled with holiday cheer.
For a lighter option to balance out all the holiday indulgences, try this Christmas Salad. It’s made with a mix of greens, roasted beets, goat cheese, and pecans, and topped off with a tangy vinaigrette. The colors and flavors are perfect for the holiday season.
Yes, we know we already mentioned Christmas Crack, but we couldn’t resist including a second recipe for this addictive treat. This version is made with popcorn, pretzels, and chocolate, making it the perfect combination of salty and sweet. Trust us, you’ll want to make a double batch.
Borscht is a traditional Eastern European soup that is often served on Christmas Eve. This Polish Christmas Eve Borscht is made with beets, cabbage, and a variety of other vegetables, giving it a beautiful red color and a delicious and hearty flavor. Serve it with a dollop of sour cream for the perfect finishing touch.
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Chi-Chi's Christmas Eve Lasagna
Main Ingredients: Lean Ground Beef, Ground Sausage, Lasagna Noodles
Lasagna is a classic comfort food, and this recipe for Chi-Chi’s Christmas Eve Lasagna is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. It’s loaded with layers of pasta, meat sauce, and plenty of cheese – what more could you want on Christmas Eve?
If you’re looking for a dish with a little more kick, try this Mexican Christmas Eve Salad. It’s a refreshing mix of black beans, corn, avocado, and tomatoes, all tossed in a zesty lime dressing. Serve it as a side dish or add some grilled chicken for a complete meal.
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Traditional Polish Christmas Eve Compote
Main Ingredients: Prunes, Water, Cloves, Cinnamon Stick, Fresh Ginger
Compote is a traditional drink in many Eastern European countries, often served at Christmas Eve dinner. This version is made with a mix of dried fruits, spices, and red wine, giving it a warm and festive flavor. It’s the perfect drink to cozy up with on a chilly winter night.
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Layered Mexican Christmas Eve Salad
Main Ingredients: Red Beets, Romaine, Jicama, Navel Oranges, Pomegranate
This Layered Mexican Christmas Eve Salad is not only delicious, but it’s also a feast for the eyes. With layers of beans, salsa, guacamole, and cheese, it’s a fun and unique way to serve up a salad at your holiday gathering. Plus, it’s a great way to get your daily dose of veggies.
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Jayne’s Countdown to Christmas! No Sugar Baker’s...
Main Ingredients: Chocolate Cake Mix, Chocolate Pudding Mix, Unsweetened
If you’re looking for a healthier option for your holiday desserts, give this recipe for Jayne’s Countdown to Christmas! No Sugar Baker’s... a try. It’s made with whole wheat flour, applesauce, and just a touch of honey for sweetness, making it a guilt-free treat that still satisfies your sweet tooth.
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Traditional Italian Christmas Eve Doughnuts
Main Ingredients: Flour, Salt, Sugar, Dried Yeast, Water, Orange, Rum
In Italy, it’s traditional to serve fritters or doughnuts on Christmas Eve. This recipe for Traditional Italian Christmas Eve Doughnuts is a classic, using simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and eggs to create a deliciously fried treat. Serve them up with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Last but certainly not least, no holiday party is complete without a festive punch. This Christmas Punch is made with cranberry juice, ginger ale, and a splash of vodka for an adults-only version. It’s the perfect way to toast to the holiday season with your loved ones.
Preparing the Masa Dough
Gather Your Ingredients
The first step in making Christmas Eve tamales is preparing the masa dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine masa harina, water, salt, and baking powder. Mix until well combined and a soft dough forms. You can also add some chicken broth for added flavor. Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rest for 30 minutes. This will allow the dough to become more pliable and easier to work with.
Soak the Corn Husks
In the meantime, prepare the corn husks by soaking them in hot water for 30 minutes. This will soften them and make them easier to use as the wrapping for the tamales. It's important to use dried corn husks rather than fresh ones, as they are more pliable and will hold their shape better when steaming.
Preparing the Filling
Choose Your Filling
While the masa dough is resting, you can start preparing the filling for your tamales. There are many options when it comes to fillings, but some traditional choices include chicken, pork, or beef. You can also make vegetarian tamales by using beans, cheese, or vegetables as the filling. Whichever filling you choose, make sure it's well seasoned and cooked before assembling the tamales.
Assemble the Tamales
To assemble the tamales, take a soaked corn husk and spread a thin layer of the masa dough onto it. Leave some space around the edges to allow for folding. Place a spoonful of your chosen filling in the center of the dough, and then fold the sides of the husk over the filling. Finally, fold the bottom of the husk up and secure with a small piece of kitchen twine.
Steaming the Tamales
Set Up Your Steamer
Once all of your tamales are assembled, it's time to steam them. If you have a steamer basket, use that to steam your tamales. If not, you can use a large pot with a steamer insert or even a slow cooker. Place the tamales in the steamer, standing them upright with the folded side down. Make sure there is enough water in the steamer to create steam, but not so much that it touches the tamales.
Cook and Enjoy!
Cover the steamer and let the tamales steam for 1 hour. Check them periodically to make sure there is still enough water in the steamer. Once done, remove the tamales from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes before unwrapping and serving. These Christmas Eve tamales are best enjoyed with your loved ones, so gather around and savor the delicious flavors of this holiday tradition.
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