I’ve always been a fan of Mexican cuisine, and one of my favorite dishes is tamales. Tamales are a traditional Mexican delicacy made with masa, a corn-based dough, and filled with various ingredients such as meat, cheese, or vegetables. They are then wrapped in corn husks and steamed until cooked to perfection. However, steaming tamales can be a time-consuming process, especially if you have a busy schedule. That’s when I discovered a quick and easy way to cook tamales in the microwave!
Preparation is Key
Before we dive into the cooking process, it’s important to have all your ingredients ready. Here’s a quick checklist to ensure you’re fully prepared:
Ingredients:
Tools:
Once you have everything ready, it’s time to start cooking!
Cooking Tamales in the Microwave
First, take your microwave-safe dish and pour in about half an inch of water. This will help create steam, which is crucial for cooking the tamales evenly.
Next, arrange the tamales in the dish, making sure they are standing upright. You want the open ends of the tamales to be facing up to ensure that the filling stays intact. If your tamales are frozen, it’s best to thaw them before cooking.
Pro Tip:
You can use a microwave-safe plate as a makeshift stand to keep the tamales upright if your dish is too wide.
Once you have all the tamales in the dish, cover them with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap. If you don’t have either of these, you can place a damp paper towel over the dish to trap the steam.
Pro Tip:
To prevent the plastic wrap from touching the tamales directly, create a tent-like shape by leaving some space between the wrap and the tamales.
Now it’s time to cook the tamales! Place the covered dish in the microwave and set the cooking time. For frozen tamales, you’ll need to microwave them for about 9-10 minutes per tamale. If your tamales are already thawed, reduce the cooking time to about 4-6 minutes per tamale.
Make sure to rotate the dish halfway through cooking to ensure even heat distribution. This will help prevent any cold spots and ensure that all the tamales are heated thoroughly.
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the dish from the microwave. Be cautious as it will be hot! Allow the tamales to rest for a few minutes, as they will continue to cook in their residual heat.
Serving:
Traditionally, tamales are served with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole. You can also garnish them with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime for an extra burst of freshness.
Now that you know this quick and easy way to cook tamales in the microwave, you can enjoy this delicious Mexican dish anytime you crave it. It’s perfect for those busy days when you don’t have hours to spend steaming tamales. So go ahead, give it a try and satisfy your cravings in no time!