Tamale Dough

Ingredients

• 1.5 tsp calumet baking powder 
• 0.5 lb corn husks dried hot drained
• 4 cups i would have liked to use an version of masa but i couldn't find one at the time of making the tamal 
• 1 Tbsp salt 
• 1.5 cups vegetable shortening 
• 4 cups water hot

Equipment

• bowl
• pot
• wooden spoon
• steamer basket

Directions

1. Mix masa harina, lard, salt and baking powder in large bowl with wooden spoon until well blended. Gradually add just enough of the hot water to make a smooth stiff dough, stirring constantly.
2. Assemble tamales, using about 2 Tbsp. of the masa mixture and 1 to 2 Tbsp. of your favorite filling for each tamale.
3. Stand tamales in a steamer basket in large pot filled 1/4 full with water. (Make sure tamales are not touching the water.) Bring water to boil; cover. Steam 1 hour or until tamales pull away from the corn husks, adding more water to the pot when necessary. Cool slightly.