Go Back

How to Make Tamalus (Rice Cake with Pork Filling)

Tamales is a traditional dish made from masa (a dough made from corn) that is filled with meats, cheese, fruits, chilies, and other ingredients, wrapped in a corn husk and steamed.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Rice recipe
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: Rice Cake with Pork Filling, tamalus, tamalus recipe
Servings: 5 slices
Calories: 270kcal
Author: Manny

Ingredients

  • 1 cup finely ground raw peanuts
  • 3 & 1/4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 1 tablespoon atsuete or annatto seeds
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • 2 tablespoons chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup malagkit or glutinous rice flour
  • 1/2 kilo pork liempo cooked and thinly sliced
  • 6 pieces banana leaves wilted and greased (14" x 15")

Instructions

How to cook Tamalus:

  • Cook peanut in water for 40 minutes. Sauté atsuete to extract color.
  • Remove seeds and brown garlic and onion. Add peanut, vinegar, one teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
  • Cook until peanut sauce is thick enough to spread.
  • Add the remaining seasonings to the water and mix flour to form a ball of dough.
  • Divide equally into two portions.
  • Put one portion on a banana leaf and roll out with a rolling pin.
  • Form a rectangle 10" x 5 x 1/8. Steam 5 minutes. Remove carefully from hot steam with a turner.
  • When cool, slip dough on another leaf. On the dough, arrange half of the pork and top with peanut sauce.
  • Fold dough neatly and spread top with peanut sauce.
  • Wrap with a piece of banana leaf and tie securely with a string.
  • Repeat the same procedure with the other half of the dough. Steam for two hours.
  • Before serving, divide each tamalus into 5 slices.

Notes

Cooking Tips of Tamalus Recipe:

1. Perfecting the Peanut Sauce:
To enhance the flavor of the peanut sauce, toast the peanuts before cooking them in water. This step adds a nutty depth to the sauce. Additionally, adjust the seasoning to balance the flavors, adding more salt or vinegar as needed.
2. Achieving the Right Dough Consistency:
When mixing the glutinous rice flour with water, aim for a dough that is smooth and pliable. Adding water gradually and kneading the dough thoroughly will help achieve the right consistency. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle some more flour; if it's too dry, add a little more water.
3. Wrapping and Steaming Techniques:
When wrapping the tamalus, ensure the banana leaves are secure to prevent the filling from leaking. Use a string to tie the parcels tightly. During steaming, place the tamalus in a single layer to ensure even cooking and avoid overcrowding the steamer.