Sweet Rice Tamales
Ingredients
- 3 cups Carolina® White Rice, uncooked
- 2 cups plus 3 tbsp water, divided
- 20 corn husks for tamales
- 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tbsp powdered sugar, divided
- 2 cups blueberries, divided
- 1/2 cup lard, at room temperature
- Kitchen twine
Instructions
Try something new at this year’s Thanksgiving feast with this sweet and delicious twist on a classic Latin dish.
Step 1
In a bowl, add raw or uncooked rice and 2 cups of water. Let soak for 4 hours. Drain Rice.
Step 2
Meanwhile, soak corn husks in warm water until they soften, about 1 hour.
Step 3
In bowl, place cream cheese and mash with a fork. Add 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and mix. Once incorporated, add 1 cup of blueberries and mix. Set aside.
Step 4
In a food processor, add rice, lard, and 1/3 cup powdered sugar. Process adding 1 or 2 tablespoons water at a time, until a paste is formed.
Step 5
Place 1/3 rice mixture in the center of a husk and press with moist hands to spread it. Place 1 1/2 teaspoons of cream cheese mixture on top of rice and along the center. Wrap tamales by folding the husk sides inward, then use kitchen twine to tie both ends.
Step 6
In tamale steamer (you can also use a large saucepan with round cooling rack), add water below the level of the rack. Place tamales and cook covered for 1 hour and 25 minutes, or until tamales are firm. Serve warm with blueberries on top.
A Sweet Twist on a Classic
With the holidays just around the corner, you can be sure that tamale season is upon us. Nothing hits the spot like a warm and delicious tamale just out of the pot and cooked to perfection and these Sweet Rice Tamales are no exception. Filled with fluffy Carolina® White Rice and a cream cheese and blueberry mixture, this tasty recipe is a fun and sweet twist on a Latin classic. Add them to your Thanksgiving day menu this year for a modern, Latin touch to a traditional holiday.
Make it Fun
If you and your family have ever shared the experience of making tamales, you know that it can be a wonderful opportunity to spend time together in the kitchen creating a delicious meal to be shared. Get your family in on the fun and set up all your ingredients on a table or counter and enjoy some conversation and bonding time while filling, wrapping, and tying your tasty tamales.
Love the idea of trying new dishes in this year’s Thanksgiving menu? Try this Poblano Pepper Strips with Cream and Rice for a rich and creamy side everyone will love, and this Roast Chicken with Chorizo, Brown Rice and Mushroom Stuffing Casserole with a festive substitution of turkey for the chicken.
