Best Ways To Prepare and Reheat Tamales From XLNT
XLNT Foods got its start as a pushcart operating on the Southern California roadsides. Our tamales soon became a lunchtime favorite for some of the area's earliest residents. This allowed us to start selling our unique tamales in California grocery stores. Now, you can order our products online and reheat tamales at home.
Recommended Ways To Prepare Tamales From XLNT
There are three methods we recommend for preparing our tamales:
1. Stovetop
To steam your tamales on the stovetop, place the wrapped tamales in a covered sieve or colander and set the colander over a pot of boiling water. Do not put the tamales directly in the water. If you thawed the tamales ahead of time, steam them for 25 minutes. If the tamales are frozen, steam them for 30 minutes.
2. Microwave
To reheat tamales in the microwave, remove them from the bag and place the tamales in their unopened plastic wrapper on a microwave-safe dish. Alternatively, you can remove the tamales from their plastic wrappers and wrap them in a moist paper towel. If you thawed the tamales, heat them on medium power for two minutes. If the tamales are still frozen, heat them on medium power for four minutes. Flip the tamales halfway through the heating cycle. Let them stand for two to three minutes and then remove them from the plastic wrappers or paper towel and enjoy.
3. Conventional Oven
To prepare your tamales in a conventional oven, remove them from the bag and unwrap them. Place the tamales in a casserole dish and add one to two tablespoons of water. Cover the dish and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes if the tamales are thawed, and 30 minutes if they are frozen. Alternatively, you can heat the tamales wrapped in foil with no water.
Best Ways To Prepare Your Tamales
You can simply reheat tamales and eat them right out of the package. However, there are also many other delicious ways to use your XLNT tamales.
One Dish Tamale Pie
This tamale pie recipe was first published in a magazine ad in 1947. More than 75 years later, it is still one of the best ways to enjoy XLNT tamales.
Ingredients:
• 4 - XLNT tamales
• 1 - can of corn
• 1 - can of tamale sauce
• 2 - eggs, beaten
• 2 - tbsp grated cheese
• 1 - cup ripe olives
• 1/2 - cup green peppers
• salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
For best results, thaw the tamales before using them. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Break the tamales into pieces and place them in a mixing bowl with the corn, tamale sauce and beaten eggs. Mix the ingredients until well combined and then season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and sprinkle the cheese over the top. Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the center is firm. Top with olives and green peppers.
Notes:
If your grocery store doesn't carry tamale sauce, you can make it yourself, or substitute a can of enchilada sauce.
Classic Tamale Pie
This classic tamale pie recipe requires a dish and a pan, but once you taste it, you won't mind washing the extra dish.
Ingredients:
• 2 - 8oz. packages of XLNT beef tamales, thawed and chopped
• 1 - 16oz. package of ground beef
• 1 - small can of green chilies, chopped
• 1 - small can of black olives, chopped
• 1 - bunch of green onions, chopped
• 1 - 8oz. package of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 - 8oz. can of tomato sauce
• 1 - can of mexicorn
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Brown the ground beef in a large frying pan. Discard the excess fat. Place the browned ground beef and the rest of the ingredients, except for half of the cheese, in an 8x10 or 9x12 baking pan, and mix well. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the mixture. Place the uncovered pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to stand for three minutes before serving.
Note:
This recipe is even better the next day, so consider making it the night before and reheat tamales for dinner the next day.
XLNT Stuffed Peppers
This simple recipe puts a unique twist on the stuffed pepper by using XLNT tamales in place of the usual ground beef filling.
Ingredients:
• 4 - bell peppers
• 1 - package of XLNT tamales, thawed
• 1 - jar of salsa or Picante sauce
• 1 - 8oz. package of shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
Line a 9x13 baking pan with aluminum foil or spray it with a nonstick cooking spray. Place a pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Slice the bell peppers in half and then remove the seeds and cores. Place the sliced peppers in the boiling water and boil for five minutes. Remove the peppers from the water with tongs or a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel to drain until they are cool enough to touch.
Remove the tamales from their wrappers and then break them into large chunks and place them in a mixing bowl. Place the peppers, with the sliced side up, in the prepared baking pan. Stuff the pepper halves with the tamale pieces and use a spoon to lightly pack them into the peppers. Top each pepper half with a heaping spoonful of salsa or picante sauce and a handful of the shredded cheese. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Prepare Tamales From XLNT Today
Whether you are brand-new to XLNT tamales or you used to eat them before you moved away from California, you can enjoy the many ways to reheat tamales and use them in your favorite tamale recipes. Our beef and chicken tamales are available for purchase online and we will ship them directly to your door anywhere in the contiguous United States.
Sources:
https://www.xlntfoods.com/beef-tamales
https://www.xlntfoods.com/cookbook-recipes/tamale-tip
https://www.xlntfoods.com/cookbook-recipes/xlnt-foods-delicious-one-dish-tamale-pie-recipe
https://www.xlntfoods.com/cookbook-recipes/xlnt-tamale-and-chili-con-carne-recipes-from-the-vault
https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/mexican/most-xlnt-stuffed-peppers.html