The inhabitants of southern Mexico often wrap their tamales in banana leaves instead of corn husks. The banana leavs are first wilted by quickly holding them over the flame.

This recipe calls for the use of masa which is a corn dough made from treated ground field corn and water. It can be purchased forzen of fresh and spoils quickly so it needs to be used within a day if fresh or thawed.

Tamales Wrapped in Banana Leaves (Tamales en Hojas de Platano) - Easy Mexican Recipe For Mexican Starter Dish Course

• 500g lean pork
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 onion (cut in half)
• 1 tsp salt
• 5 tbsp lard
• 1 large banana leaf plus leaves to line steamer
• 6 chile anchos (seeded)
• 8 chiles guajillos (seeded)
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried marjoram
• 4 black peppercorns
• 2 whole cloves
• 500g masa

Frozen banana leaves can be purchased from most Mexican or Chinese grocery stores.

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Image of Tamales Wrapped in Banana Leaves

• In a large saucepan, cover pork with water
• Add 1 garlic clove, 1 onion quater and 1/2 tsp salt
• Bring to boil, cover and simmer till pork is tender (45 to 60 mins)
• Shred pork, reserve pork stock
• Toast the chiles, place in a bowl, cover with warm water and soak for 20 mins
• Roast tomatoes, peel and puree in a blender
• Roast the other onion quarter, 2 cloves garlic, marjoram, peppercorns and cloves
• Drain chiles, transfer to a blender
• Add roasted items and 1 cup of stock, puree till smooth
• Melt 1 tbsp lard in skillet, saute the puree for 5 mins
• Add pureed tomatoes and saute for another 5 mins
• Add pork, stirl and cover
• Lower heat and cook for 10 mins
• Hold banana leaf directly over heat for 5 seconds, cut into 13 cm squares
• Knead the masa with 2 tbsp of lard for 5 mins
• Use the remaining lard to grease one side of the banana leaf
• Place a spoonful of masa on top of lard and top with 1 1/2 tbsp pork mixture
• Fold the opposite edges of the leaft toward center, then do the same with other edges, to form a closed rectangle
• To secure: tie tamales with narrow strips of leaves or string
• Place 2 cups water in a pressure cooker, cover steamer basket with flattened banana leaves
• Place lid on pan, cook for 20 mins
• Serve warm with frijoles refritos (See also refried beans)

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