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Lobster Tamales with Poblano-Corn Sauce

⏎ All Recipes

Lobster Tamales with Poblano-Corn Sauce

These elegant and unusual tamales are celebration-worthy! The masa dough may be made up to three days in advance, and the sauce may be made earlier in the day and gently re-warmed. It can be fun to have guests help fill, fold and tie the tamales—or you can get them ready several hours ahead and steam them just before serving.

Directions

  1. To make the tamales: puree the chicken broth and corn in a blender. Combine the masa harina, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; cut the lard into the mixture with a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Pour in the broth-corn mixture; stir until a soft dough forms.
  2. Working with one husk at a time, place 3 rounded tablespoons of the masa dough in the center of the husk; press the dough down into a 4 x 3-inch rectangle. Top the masa with lobster and fold the left-hand side of the husk towards the center. Fold the tip (or point) end of the husk up towards the center. Fold the right-hand side in toward the center, overlapping with the left. Fold the top end down over the center of the husk to close the tamale; tie with kitchen string to secure. Repeat with the remaining masa and lobster.
  3. Place the tamales vertically in the steamer insert of a Dutch oven with steamer insert. Bring 6 cups water to a boil in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Place the steamer insert into the pan and cover. Steam 60-65 minutes, adding more water if necessary, until the dough is firm. Let stand 10 minutes before serving with sauce.
  4. To make the sauce: melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion just begins to brown, 6-7 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the onion and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Whisk in the half and half and heavy cream and cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens, about 4 minutes. Add the poblano pepper and cook 1 minute. Transfer to a blender and puree.
  5. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add the corn and cook until lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Pour in the poblano mixture and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro, zest, salt and pepper.
  6. To serve: open tamales and drizzle the filling with the sauce.

Ingredients

2 cups chicken broth1 cup thawed corn kernels, fresh or frozen
4 cups masa harina
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
6 ounces lard
24 dried corn husks, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes, drained and patted dry
1 1/2 pounds cooked lobster meat, cut into 1/2-inch pieces


Sauce:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 medium white onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup half and half
1 cup heavy cream
1 large poblano pepper, roasted, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 cup thawed corn kernels, fresh or frozen
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Yield:

24 tamales (8-12 Servings)