Sunday, 28 April 2019

Tamales Bring A Little Excitement To Office Parties

By Kevin Perry


There are some dishes that are in a category of their own. As the foodie craze allows for chefs and home cooks to place an unusual twist on international cuisine, some things cannot be duplicated with success. Ask any lover of Mexican dishes what item is worth waiting for and most will mention authentic tamales.

While making these from scratch can take a great deal of time and energy, there are many excellent chefs and caterers who sell these by the dozen. The great thing is that a prepared tamale can be heated in any microwave or stove just hours before serving. Also, these are easy to transport, as their dense texture and casing allow for little spillage along the way.

Buying these premade also saves on having to cook at home and wonder if something will come out right. When a person has a good cook on their side who can prepare heat and eat meals for groups, this is better than relying on the supermarket hot deli department. Caters and restaurants can also offer different varieties, including a meatless option.

Anyone who is familiar with this recipe realizes that the person creating the magic has the labor of love with every step. And there are a few steps that take time and a little bit of patience. The fewer storebought items used, the more work that goes into tasks like grounding the corn to make masa or preparing the freshest fillings.

After taking a nice steam bath, a nice meal comes together. While this all sounds simple, some consider making a real tamale a work of art, if not a labor intensive session in the kitchen. Either way, it is not ideal for those who do not already love to cook or do not have the energy after working all day.

Even if nothing tangible comes from the event, there is still a great feeling of presenting something different to colleagues. Good food can be a nice conversation starter and it may be possible to run into someone who is also a fan of Mexican or South American cuisine. It could be the start of a lengthy relationship outside of the office.

Although many associate this recipe with Mexico, there are different versions made in South and Central America, as well as the southern States. Even though some food enthusiasts say that the lard gives it the flavor, few ingenious chefs have managed to eliminate the saturated fat and replace it with vegetable or olive oil. For those watching their waistline, one way to cut back on fats is to pass on wet versions that have cheese or animal oil.

When choosing food for large groups when time and money are tight, there are two main things to consider. Preparation is better in the hands of another person, especially if the employee is not much into cooking or does not have the time. Portability is also important, as many inexpensive yet filling dishes travel well. Keeping these factors in mind is what will make pot luck contributions free of stress.




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