Tamales Recipe

Renowned chef Gene Gonzalez modernizes this old Kapampanganfiesta favorite and makes it so much easier for everyone to make at home.
While the traditional Mexican tamales makes use of stone-ground corn, this is given a homegrown twist with the use of toasted rice, a staple in Pampanga from where this recipe originated.Â
To make tamales before, one would need to grind peanuts and mill rice the old-fashioned,time-consuming way; but in this recipe, Chef Gene shortens the procedure by using modern equipment. "Tamales, among other dishes, is an 'endangered' dish because it's tedious to prepare," he says. "I've come up with something easier. There are certain things we have to adapt to without taking away the authenticity of the dish."