Tamales (Columbia, Green Hill, Nolensville: where to buy, schools, to eat)

[carolmcb]

Does anyone know where to buy chicken tamales in Nashville? I'm originally from Texas and it was a Christmas eve tradition to eat chicken tamales then.

[alleycat]

Maybe La Paz in Green Hills.

You could make your own!

[Mike in TN]

There are some ladies that sell some really good tamales out of the trunk of their car at a Taquieria on Harding Place, near Nolensville Pike. It might sound strange, but they are really good.

[carolmcb]

Alleycat - you are too kind thinking that I could actually make tamales. I used to watch a lady make them each year. That has always been enough for me. Her hands were burned, her feet swollen and she probably had to go to bed for 3 days to try and recover.

I'll make some phone calls and see if anyone can point me in a specific direction.

[alleycat]

Hey, this recipe doesn't look too hard (as long as someone else is doing it).

30-Minute Chicken Tamales

6 cups maseca corn masa harina flour, mix for tamales
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup corn oil or other vegetable oil (corn will enhance the flavor)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 large rotisserie chicken
2 (15ounce) jars green tomatillo sauce
1 bag corn husks

1. Soak the corn husks in warm water until soft.
2. Using an electric mixer, blend the masa flour (Maseca for Tamales), corn oil, salt, baking powder and the chicken broth to obtain a consistent mixture.
3. Shred the chicken and marinate in the green salsa or tomatillo sauce.
4. Spread masa evenly over corn husks, and spread a spoonful of marinated chicken on top of the masa.
5. Fold the sides of the corn husk to center over the masa so that they overlap to make a long package.
6. Fold the empty part of the husk under so that it rests against the side of the tamale with a seam.
7. Place the tamales in a steamer and cook tamales for 35-40 minutes.
8. Check every 20 minutes.
9. The tamale is cooked when it separates easily from the corn husk.

Makes 25 tamales

[akm4]

Alleycat, you have inspired me. I'm going to make these. Report to follow

[Lakewooder]

Sometimes hispanic dominated schools have 'tamalada' Christmas fund-raisers - look out for those...as for me I get mine at "La Popular" on Columbia in East Dallas ...are you jealous?

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by akm4

Alleycat, you have inspired me. I'm going to make these. Report to follow

I'm glad I inspire someone . . .

[alleycat]

One of my friends (orginally from Mexico via California) says La Hacienda on Nolensville Road for chicken tamales.

[carolmcb]

Originally Posted by alleycat

One of my friends (orginally from Mexico via California) says La Hacienda on Nolensville Road for chicken tamales.

I looked them up on the internet and decided to send an email since I was tied up this morning and didn't want to get stuck on the phone. I got an immediate response back. They do sell tamales by the dozen. So, thanks very much for the information. Looks like it's chicken tamales for Christmas.