Coconut Tamales

Preparation Soak corn husks in large bowl of hot water for 1/2 hour, then separate and continue to soak until pliable, up to 1/2 hour more. Tear one or two husks into 1/4-inch strips to use for tying the tamales. Boil 1 cup water in medium saucepan. Remove from heat and gradually stir in masa. Cover and let cool. Combine 1/3 cup water, sugar, small pinch salt, and vanilla bean, if using, in small saucepan. Bring to simmer, simmer for 5 minutes. Take pan off heat and stir in coconut and vanilla flavoring or extract, if using. Cool. In standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, cream butter or shortening with baking powder, if using. Add masa and coconut mixtures, and beat until dough is smooth, fluffy, and light. Arrange steamer rack in very large stockpot and add water to just below bottom of rack. Cover and bring water to boil. Place 12 drained corn husks on work surface. Put 3 to 4 tablespoons masa dough into center of one husk and spoon some raisins on top. Fold long sides over filling, then tie ends of tamale shut with husk strips. Repeat process to make 12 tamales. Place upright, leaning against one another, in steamer. If necessary, insert pieces of crumpled foil between tamales to keep them upright. Cover and steam until dough is firm to touch and separates easily from husk, adding more water to pot as necessary, about 1 hour. Serve with Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks with Guajillo-Pineapple Sauce . Tips:•Dried corn husks are available at www.mexgrocer.com. •Masa harina, also called corn flour or instant corn masa mix for tamales, is corn that has been treated with lime and water then ground and dried. Santibañez recommends the Maseca brand, available at www.mexgrocer.com. If you buy Quaker masa, the most common brand available in the U.S., be sure to buy the "Masa Harina de Maiz," not the "Harina Preparada Para Tortillas." Regular corn meal can not be substituted for masa. •Nonalcoholic pure vanilla flavoring (which, unlike regular vanilla extract, is kosher for Passover) is available from www.barryfarm.com.

Preparation Soak corn husks in large bowl of hot water for 1/2 hour, then separate and continue to soak until pliable, up to 1/2 hour more. Tear one or two husks into 1/4-inch strips to use for tying the tamales. Boil 1 cup water in medium saucepan. Remove from heat and gradually stir in masa. Cover and let cool. Combine 1/3 cup water, sugar, small pinch salt, and vanilla bean, if using, in small saucepan. Bring to simmer, simmer for 5 minutes. Take pan off heat and stir in coconut and vanilla flavoring or extract, if using. Cool. In standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, cream butter or shortening with baking powder, if using. Add masa and coconut mixtures, and beat until dough is smooth, fluffy, and light. Arrange steamer rack in very large stockpot and add water to just below bottom of rack. Cover and bring water to boil. Place 12 drained corn husks on work surface. Put 3 to 4 tablespoons masa dough into center of one husk and spoon some raisins on top. Fold long sides over filling, then tie ends of tamale shut with husk strips. Repeat process to make 12 tamales. Place upright, leaning against one another, in steamer. If necessary, insert pieces of crumpled foil between tamales to keep them upright. Cover and steam until dough is firm to touch and separates easily from husk, adding more water to pot as necessary, about 1 hour. Serve with Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks with Guajillo-Pineapple Sauce . Tips:•Dried corn husks are available at www.mexgrocer.com. •Masa harina, also called corn flour or instant corn masa mix for tamales, is corn that has been treated with lime and water then ground and dried. Santibañez recommends the Maseca brand, available at www.mexgrocer.com. If you buy Quaker masa, the most common brand available in the U.S., be sure to buy the "Masa Harina de Maiz," not the "Harina Preparada Para Tortillas." Regular corn meal can not be substituted for masa. •Nonalcoholic pure vanilla flavoring (which, unlike regular vanilla extract, is kosher for Passover) is available from www.barryfarm.com.