Steaming tamales without a steamer basket requires a setup that lifts the tamales above boiling water and also allows steam to penetrate them. You can use a metal colander or an overturned bowl in a pot of boiling water with chopsticks balanced on top. You can also grill or pan fry tamales.
How long does it take to steam tamales?
- Place a large steamer basket in the stockpot over water; place tamales upright in steamer. Bring to a boil; steam, covered, adding hot water as needed, until dough peels away from husk, about 45 minutes.
How to Cook Tamales Without a Vegetable Steamer
- Set a round metal rack inside a large pot.
- Place a metal heat-safe bowl inside the pot upside down, resting it on top of the rack.
- Stand the tamales on end inside the pot, resting them between the bowl and pot.
- Place the lid on the pot.
- Steam the tamales for one hour, checking the water level every 15 minutes or so.
How do you steam tamales in the oven?
For steaming, remove tamales from bag, and place in a hot steamer for 15-20 minutes from a thawed state (5-10 minutes more if frozen). For oven baking, preheat oven to 325. Remove tamales from bag, wrap in foil, and place them on sheet pan. Bake 15-20 minutes if thawed, and 20-25 if frozen.
Do you have to steam tamales right away?
Actually you steam them, let them cool off, then either eat or wrap and freeze. So even with a lot of help, Tamale Day will take all day. Cancel your other plans ahead of time. Have fun.
What can I use if I don’t have a steamer?
How do you warm up tamales without a steamer?
A reliable alternative to steaming, reheating tamales in the oven is a simple, quick method. Preheat your oven to 425°, and wrap each tamale tightly in a few layers of aluminum foil, making sure there is no air. Place them in the oven for 20 minutes, turning them over at the halfway mark.
What can I use instead of a steamer basket?
Now repeat after me: No steamer basket, no problem!
- Fill a metal strainer or colander. Choose a saucepan that’s wide enough to hold the metal strainer around the rim, and deep enough that the strainer doesn’t touch the bottom.
- Grab a wire cooling rack.
- Use a splatter screen.
- Try a foil pie tin.
- Fire up the microwave.
How can I steam without a basket?
The technique is simple: fill a medium pot with 1/2 inch of water, place three golf ball–sized balls of aluminum foil on the bottom, rest a heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Add vegetables to the plate, cover, and steam until crisp-tender.
Can you steam tamales too long?
I think you’re probably either making the masa dough too wet to begin with or you’re not steaming them long enough. They should steam until the tamale easily peels away from the husk. The wetter your masa dough is, the longer the tamales will need to steam. You also may have put too much water to steam them
What can I use to steam tamales?
To steam tamales using aluminum foil, start by scrunching up some pieces of aluminum foil into 3 small balls and placing them in a pot in a triangle shape. Then, put a heat-proof plate on top of the aluminum foil balls and pour about 1 inch of water under the plate.
Can you steam tamales laying down?
*If you will be steaming the tamales laying down, then its not necessary to tie them but if you will be steaming them standing up, then please do tie each tamal so they don’t unfold. Steam your tamales for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, depending on how tightly they are packed in the steamer and how many you have.
Can you use a colander as a steamer?
2Use a Strainer or Colander
This steamer hack is as simple as it gets. All you need to do is place your food in a large kitchen strainer, and place it on top of your pot of water. You can also do this with a colander instead of a strainer.
How do I cook broccoli without a steamer?
To steam broccoli without a steamer, start by cutting it into small pieces and placing it in a microwave-safe bowl with 3 tablespoons of water. Then, cover the bowl with a lid, and microwave for 3 to 4 minutes until the broccoli is tender with a brilliant emerald color.
How long does it take to steam vegetables?
Steaming Vegetables
Carefully take off the lid (don’t get burned by rising steam) and place your vegetables in the basket. Close the lid and keep an eye on the time. Carrots will cook in about seven to eight minutes, broccoli at around five minutes and asparagus will cook in about three minutes.