“Royal" Tamales

Tamales Reales

Preparation info
  • About

    6 dozen

    tamales
    • Difficulty

      Easy

Appears in
Food from My Heart: Cuisines of Mexico Remembered and Reimagined

By Zarela Martínez

Published 1992

  • About

Why “royal?” Perhaps because they are elegant miniature tamales, on the expensive side because of the saffron. These fragrant morsels are a delicious hot party snack or hors d’oeuvre. I am a spendthrift with saffron and probably would use about 2 teaspoons.

Before beginning the preparation, see Tamales and decide on a steamer arrangement. This makes an army-sized amount; the recipe can easily be halved.