Cinco de Mayo is nearly here, and we're still going through Valentine's Day chocolates. This means a few things: A) 2010 is flying by, B) It's time to make up some delicious Mexican food, and C) it's time to throw these chocolates out. If you have some free time this weekend, polish up on your south-of-the-border cooking skills with a batch of tamales.Now, what do we bring to our Cinco de Mayo office party?

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Chicken Tamales

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Ingredients

  • 14 large corn husks (available at Latin markets and many grocery stores)

  • 1 2- to 3-pound rotisserie chicken, skin removed and meat shredded (about 6 cups)

  • 1 cup shredded Mexican-blend cheese

  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish

  • 1/2 cup frozen green peas

  • 1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives, drained and halved

  • 2 cups bottled green salsa

  • 2 cups self-rising yellow cornmeal mix

Directions

Place the corn husks in warm water; soak for 30 minutes, or until they're soft and pliable.

While the husks soak, stir together the chicken, cheese, cilantro, peas, olives, and salsa in a bowl. Add the cornmeal mix and stir until combined.

Remove 2 corn husks from the water. Tear into 12 thin strips for tying up the tamales; set aside.

Unfold a soaked husk, wide-end up, on a work surface. Starting at the top edge, spoon 2/3 cup filling down the center and mold into a 4-by-2-inch rectangle, leaving room at the bottom for folding.

Roll up the tamale jelly roll-style to enclose the filling. Fold up the bottom end of the husk and tie it with one of the strips of husk. Repeat with the remaining husks, filling, and ties.

Add 1 inch of water to a deep pot with a tight-fitting lid; place a steamer basket in the pot. Arrange the tamales upright (closed-end down) in the basket. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat; cover and steam the tamales for 25 minutes, adding more water as needed.

Carefully remove the tamales from the steamer and let stand for 5 minutes. Transfer to a platter; untie and open the husks, then garnish the tamales with chopped fresh cilantro.

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