We do Mexican for Christmas too. We love it. REC: Tamale Soup
So much can be made ahead. I am going to make the Tamale Bites that Steve2 posted, this year. I think I am going to buy the tamales this year, since I found a small Mexican restaurant that sells them one dozen for ten dollars.
I made the soup below with some tamales that I bought at Aldi's that I wanted to use up. I didn't have as many tamales as the recipe called for, but it was good.
Tamale Soup
By mamabear22 on January 09, 2008
* timer
* Prep Time: 10 mins
* Total Time: 4 1/4 hrs
* Servings: 4-6
About This Recipe
"My husband gets delicious homemade tamales every Thursday at the school where he works. I always freeze whatever we can't eat and eventually we get a backlog, so I made up this recipe last night and it turned out great. Most of the measurements (other than the canned goods) are just estimates and can be adjusted according to preference."
Ingredients
o 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans
o 1 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
o 1 (6 ounce) cans tomato sauce
o 4 cups chicken broth
o 1 cup onions, diced
o 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
o 1 tablespoon cumin, ground
o 1 tablespoon chili powder
o 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
o 1 teaspoon kosher salt
o 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
o 10 -12 frozen tamales ( chicken, pork, or beef)
o 1 cup colby-monterey jack cheese, shredded
Directions
1. Combine all ingredients except tamales and cheddar cheese in large crockpot. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.
2. Meanwhile, allow tamales to thaw just enough to be able to cut them.
3. About 30 minutes prior to serving, add still-mostly-frozen tamales to crockpot and cook on high for 30 minutes.
4. Serve with cheese sprinkled on top.
http://www.food.com/recipe/tamale-soup-277818
