Carolina’s Tamales

Instructions

• Make the filling: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cactus and onion, and cook until tender, 3–5 minutes. Add the garlic and salt, and cook for another 2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant. Transfer to a medium bowl and set aside.
• Make the tamales: In a large bowl, combine the masa harina, rice flour, salt, and baking powder.
• Add the melted lard and 3 cups of beef stock, and mix with an electric mixer on low speed until partially combined. Add the remaining 3½ cups of beef stock and continue mixing by hand until a wet dough forms. The dough should have the consistency of a thick hummus; if it is too dry, add more stock or water. And if it is too wet, add more masa harina, ¼ cup at a time.
• Soak the corn husks in water until softened slightly, about 2 minutes.
• Scoop about 4 tablespoons of the masa mixture onto the center of the smooth side of a corn husk. Spread into a flat rectangular shape, leaving the bottom third of the corn husk empty. Add about a tablespoon of the cooked cactus mixture, 1–2 tablespoons queso fresco, and 2 tablespoons salsa verde to the center of the masa rectangle.
• Bring the long sides of the corn husk together to encase the filling inside the masa, then fold the bottom of the corn husk up. Leave the top open. Tie a strip of corn husk around the tamale to secure. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• Fill a large pot with the water. Set a smaller pot lid upside down in the bottom of the pot, then layer 5–6 corn husks on top to create a nest. Stack the assembled tamales on top of the nest with the open ends of the tamales facing up, filling the pot to the top.
• Cover the pot with aluminum foil and steam the tamales over medium heat for 45–60 minutes. (To check if the tamales are cooked, carefully remove and open a tamale from the very top of the pot.The masa should separate easily from the corn husk.)
• Remove tamales from the steamer and let cool until ready to eat.
• Enjoy!