53. Tamales (Sweet or regular)

I cannot resist these, they are SO cheap, go SO far, and taste SO darn good!


INGREDIENTS:
SWEET: 
2 pounds (4 cups) masa without salt
enough water to make dough
2 cups sugar 
1 tbsp cinnamon (optional)
1-2 cups raisins (optional)
1 cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or pine nuts (optional)
30-40 dried corn husks, soaked in warm water 20 minutes (I usually do without)
UNSWEET:
1 tsp salt 
UNSWEET FILLINGS:
1 pound finely chopped meat cooked with chile powder, garlic, and tomatoes to taste 
-or-
1 can canned green chiles and monterey jack cheese to stuff them

DIRECTIONS:
Mix masa and water (and other ingredients, excluding the fillings) and work the dough until it is only slightly sticky to the touch, but moldable.  Spread a scoop of mix onto the center of a corn husk (or just make your dough less sticky and mold your own 'logs' like I do).  For fillings, add the filling onto the center of the masa spread.  Fold the sides of the corn husk in and fold the bottom up and tie.  Cook in a steamer for 1 hour.  Allow to cool and serve with butter and cinnamon sugar (sweet) or hot sauce and sprinkle cheese (unsweet).