During Christmas time Steven started talking about the tamales he had is Guatemala, so I mentally took note of it and stored it in my things to remember part of my brain. As Valentines Day rolled closer I wanted to make these Guatemalan tamales that he loved so much! I went on-line one day and searched for a recipe, and I came across this one that looked pretty authentic. I studied it for a good week to make sure I knew all the ingredients and techniques. Friday afternoon I headed to a Mexican supermarket to find all my ingredients. I was definitely in another country when I walked in there. Most of the workers did not speak english, so luckily I had my recipe with me. I would point to the ingredient and they would take me to it! When I got home that night I started cooking all the sauces so I did not have do it on Valentines Day. It took me 4 hours just to prepare the sauces and the chicken that goes inside the tamales! After work on Valentines Day I thought I would just have to throw it all together! NOOOOO I ended up using every pot and pan I had and using ALL my burners took finnish cooking PART of it!
This is the banana leaf I had to rap it in! They gave me a whole tree!!!
I pulled out the last ingredient and I realized I have been in the kitchen for 4 1/2 hours! My feet were hurting, my noes lost most of it's smell, and I could not keep going! Being pregnant did not help much either! I still get nauseated now and again, but this Achiote sauce did a number on me! I had to spill my beans to Steven and tell him what I was making. He was SO excited and he helped me with the most fun part! Putting the tamales together! After the tamales were all put together they had to be steamed for an hour and half!
So in total it took about 8 1/2 hours to make! They turned out really good of course, but definitely was NOT worth all the work! I give major props to those Guatemalan women who cook these all the time on their dirt floors with only one table and a few pots!
After dinner Steven conked out on the couch with the kittens (forgot to mention we got two new kitties! Maiden rain away, RIP).
Steven got me these beautiful flowers! I know flowers are so obvious to get a valentine but I LOVE red roses, so I was ecstatic! But as you can see in the picture he has yet to take the trash out for me! Hehe
3 comments:
Holy Cow PROPS for even finishing the meal! Sounds like WAY more work than I'd ever do for food haha. Your cats are really sweet and cute as well! Miss you guys! Love ya lots! Hope your belly is growing! Can't wait to see pictures!!!
Go Miranda! I know how time consuming tamales are...thats why I only do it once a year but we get together in a big group so the assembaly goes much faster.
Im sure Steven really appreciated them!
Your new kitties are sooo cute! What are there names?
Glad you guys had a great Vday together!
YOU ARE THE BEST WIFE!!! I wish someone would make me tamales.. yummy!!!
Post a Comment