How do I get vegetarian tamales to come out fluffy?

Question

I'm a vegetarian, so naturally I don't use lard when making the masa for tamales. I've experimented with butter, non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening, and solid coconut oil. I've tried beating the dough for a long time in my stand mixer, as I've read some suggestions that that is the key to make a fluffy dough. I've also tried both fresh masa and MaSeCa.

My tamales are ok, but I inadvertently had a bite of a lard-based tamale last year, and it was drastically fluffier and lighter than anything I've achieved. I don't know if the difference is the choice of fat, or if the restaurant that made them employs a better mixing technique. Help?

Basically beat the shortening and masa for about 10 minutes on medium speed with the paddle attachment on a stand mixer, trying to work in as much air as possible. — Michael Natkin, Aug 25 '12 at 04:19

score 8 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 01 '10 at 12:35

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You can use Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening: its is on PETA's (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) shopping list of baking goods, but can work just as well for frying as lard.

answered Sep 01 '10 at 12:35

mfg

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I was just looking at an all-tamales cookbook at a store, and they said the best choice was a mix of crisco-type shortening for texture and butter for flavor. – Michael Natkin Sep 05 '10 at 02:33

score 6 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 24 '10 at 15:58

I have made tamales for over 50 years and I learned how to make them from my grandmother. I have changed the recipe and now use Crisco. Whether I make them with lard or Crisco, I ALWAYS add baking powder and salt to help make them fluffy (and so did my grandmother).

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 22 '12 at 22:57

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I have made tamales for about 30 years and I too learned from my grandmother and my mother. But the secret to fluffier tamale dough is baking powder and salt.

answered Aug 22 '12 at 22:57

Rosa

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Hey Rosa, welcome to the site. It seems there is a previous answer that says the same thing as yours. Please upvote that answer, unless you have any new information to add... – talon8 Aug 23 '12 at 14:15

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Sep 03 '10 at 19:23

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I've never made tamales, so take this with a full shaker of salt, but you could try adding a bit of chemical leavening (baking powder) to the dough. It makes everything else fluffy; it just might help your tamales!

answered Sep 03 '10 at 19:23

Bob

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thank you for your suggestions. How much Baking power and Salt? I used 2 table spoons of baking power for 5 lb of masa. I forgot to add the salt. Also how long do I mix the masa? – Dec 23 '13 at 04:38

score 0 · Answer 5 · edited Dec 03 '15 at 01:59

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Add baking powder and mix a few minutes longer to make it fluffier.

edited Dec 03 '15 at 01:59

Cascabel

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answered Dec 02 '15 at 23:00

Bob Brown

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How do I get vegetarian tamales to come out fluffy?

5 Answers5

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