GREEN CHILI AND CHEESE TAMALES RECIPES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl or pot with warm water. Put the corn husks in the water and weight them down so they stay immersed.
• Combine all filling ingredients. Set aside.
• Combine masa, baking powder, and salt.
• In a standing mixer, beat the lard until it becomes light and fluffy.
• Gradually mix in dry ingredients.
• Slowly add chicken broth just until a soft dough forms.
• To assemble the tamales, put a spoonful of dough on the smooth side of a corn husk, smooth it down to a thin layer (1/8"-1/4" thick), and put a smaller spoonful of filling on the dough. Bring the two sides of the husk together so that the dough rolls around the filling and the husk overlaps itself. Fold up the bottom and tie it with a bit of string or a strand of corn husk.
• Set the tamales open end up in a steamer or colander. Put the steamer in a large pot with some water in the bottom. The water musn't touch the tamales. Cover tightly and steam over medium heat for 90-120 minutes.
• Once cooked, tamales can be kept in the freezer. To reheat, put in a microwave-safe bowl, cover, and cook on high for about one minute per tamale.

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it browns. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
• Add the remaining tablespoon olive oil to the Dutch oven and reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and jalapeño. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are translucent and tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cumin and coriander and cook until the spices are fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth, shredded chicken, cooked ground chicken, salsa verde, salt and pepper and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Bring to a low boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and let simmer, stirring occasionally, 1 hour. Stir in the beans and half-and-half and continue to simmer, uncovered, until the liquid has reduced and the chili is thick, about 30 minutes.
• Serve with cheese skulls, tortilla chips, sour cream, cilantro and scallions.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place a 6-count skull mold on a baking sheet.
• Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese into each skull mold. Bake until the cheese has melted and the edges just begin to brown slightly, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Allow the skulls to cool for 2 minutes, then remove from the pan. Serve on top of a warm bowl of chili. Cheese Skull recipe courtesy of The Kitchen.