Newswise — For many households of Mexican descent in the United States, the days following Thanksgiving aren’t only about wrapping gifts but also about wrapping tamales. The savory treats – traditionally prepared with generous amounts of lard and lots of salt – don’t have to be unhealthy, however.
For those unfamiliar with the delicacy, a tamale is made with seasoned, cooked pork surrounded by cornmeal, or masa, encased in a corn husk (or banana leaf). It is then steam cooked. Tamale recipes can vary greatly with the only mainstays being the masa shell and the husk. Unfortunately for those who enjoy tamales, they are often not very healthy.
“My grandmother would use an entire carton of lard when preparing the masa. The amount of salt is also extensive as salt is often added to the meat as well as the masa,” said Jennifer Pascoe, a registered nurse in the Houston Methodist Hospital Weight Management Center, who educates patients on how to eat healthier and maintain special diets. “Salt should be limited in all diets especially those with diabetes, hypertension and congestive heart failure. The recommendation is to not exceed 2 grams per day.”
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans. Latino populations face even higher risks of heart disease as a result of their preponderance for obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. The AHA reports that 75 percent of Mexican-American men and 72 percent of women age 20 or older are overweight.“Compared to non-Hispanic whites, the risk of diagnosed diabetes is 66 percent higher among Hispanics and Latinos, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among people with diabetes,” Pascoe said.
There are many substitutions that can be made to make the traditional tamale healthier, according to Pascoe. In addition, you can use a healthier recipe for tamales (see recipe below).
“For starters you can buy a leaner cut of pork or at the very least trim the fat off the meat before cooking, and then make sure you drain the fat off the meat before preparing the mixture,” Pascoe said.
Here are more tips for healthier tamales:• Replace the pork with a healthier alternative such as ground or shredded white chicken or turkey meat, beans or vegetables. Popular vegetarian tamale recipes call for cooked vegetables such as serrano peppers or spinach, black or pinto beans, and low-fat cheeses. • Replace lard or vegetable shortening with vegetable oil. • Replace the pork drippings some people use to flavor the masa with chili powder since it’s the chili powder that gives the pork drippings some of its flavor.
Pascoe said the biggest challenge to removing the lard or vegetable shortening in the masa mixture will be spreading the masa on the corn leafs, which will take more time and patience but will be worth the fat and calories saved.
“If you know you have high blood pressure or diabetes, you probably shouldn’t eat traditional tamales,” Pascoe said. “For these people I would recommend preparing a dozen or so healthy tamales, which use all of our healthy substitutions.”
And everyone should limit the amount of tamales they eat regardless of how they’re prepared.
“Moderation in the quantity of the number of tamales one eats would also be helpful. Physical activity should also be another consideration,” Pascoe said. “Go for a walk after eating. Walking for 15 minutes after each meal assists in one reaching the recommended goal of 30-45 minutes of physical activity a minimum of five days a week.”
For more information about Houston Methodist, see www.houstonmethodist.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Healthier Chicken Tamales
Ingredients
Filling2.5 pounds chicken breasts3.5 cups water (or enough to cover chicken in pot)1 teaspoon canola oil1 medium onion1 medium bell pepper3 garlic cloves1 tomato2 teaspoons cumin2 teaspoons dried chili peppers, crushed1 teaspoon low-sodium salt1/2 teaspoon black pepper1/2 cup tomato paste
Masa4 cups masa corn flour4 teaspoons canola oil1 teaspoon baking powder2 teaspoons chili powder1/2 teaspoon low-sodium salt2 cups chicken broth (reserved from cooking the chicken)18 to 20 dried corn husks
Instructions
1. Place the chicken breasts in a pot and add enough water to cover them. Bring pot to a low boil. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until the meat is cooked.
2. Remove chicken from the broth (set broth aside) and let it cool. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it and chop. You may add a little broth to keep it moist.
3. Heat the canola oil in a large skillet and sauté the onion, garlic and peppers until tender. Add the tomato, chili peppers, pepper, cumin and low-sodium salt. Add tomato paste and 1/2 cup of the chicken broth and simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir the mixture as needed.
4. Puree the sauce in a food processor or blender and return it to the pan. Add the shredded chicken, stir and let the mixture simmer for 10 to 15 minutes on low heat. Allow to cool.
5. Soak the corn husks in a large bowl of hot water for about 20 minutes. Make sure they are pliable.
6. Prepare the masa mixture by combining all ingredients and mixing until the mixture clumps together. Add broth as necessary to make the masa pliable. Turn on to a lightly floured surface and knead lightly for a minute. Divide the masa mixture into 16 equal balls.
7. Drain and rinse the corn husks. Pat dry and keep covered with a warm damp towel. Tear two or three corn husks into 1/4 inch strips to use for ties. You will need 16 corn husks for the tamales.
8. Flatten the corn husk on a flat surface. With a spoon or spatula spread one ball of dough over the husk leaving about a 1-inch margin on all sides. You may add a few tablespoons of warm chicken broth to the masa to make it more pliable and easier to spread. Add about 2 or 3 tablespoons of filling to the center. Roll up lengthwise into a cylinder and wrap with the corn husk. Secure the ends by tying with a strip of husk. Repeat with remaining dough, filling the remaining husks. You may freeze the tamales to cook at a later date or steam cook immediately.
9. Place the tamales in a steamer basket and set over one inch of boiling water. Cover tightly and reduce heat. Steam the tamales between 30 to 45 minutes until cooked. Check frequently and replenish water as needed. Frozen tamales should be thawed for at least one hour and will require a longer cook time.
Makes 16 tamales
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