This is the Day of the Expanding Man

Freddy, who ran our favorite Mexican Food Truck, aptly named Freddy's Food Truck, retired to focus on his art, but will from time to time pitch a sidewalk tent nearby to sell homemade salsas and these tamales.  

Pictured with my homemade tacos, was half of a sweet peppery pork tamal.  His wife seasons the meat and tops with a roasted red, slightly sweetened pepper sauce. These were wrapped in banana leaves.  I admit, I am a bigger fan of corn husks because it's all about the corny masa for me.  But they also must have the right ratio of filler to masa in order to be extraordinary.  There's nothing worse than a thick dry lackluster tamal.  These were really good. I'll compare them to a surprisingly tasty ham and pineapple pizza when you really wanted pepperoni and mushroom. 

Stewed Chicken Tacos

No matter the filling, I'm a huge fan of the Test Kitchen way of taco'ing.  You need a ripping hot oven. Paint oil on your corn tortillas on both sides, cheese the bottom with your choice of melty cheese for 10 minutes (450) on a baking tray, then top them quickly before folding.  They are crispy, crunchy and the best part is you can make them all at once and serve right away.  I'm just realizing you could bean and cheese your Tostadas using this method and leave for another minute or so before topping.   What a time saver!  

It Would Be So Fine to See Your Face at My Door

I couldn't take it one more day hearing about my sister's homemade delicious tamales.  I have made them, even a few times successfully but now it seems like a dream.  I'm not willing to put in the effort at this juncture in my life but hope to attempt many times in the future.  Other women browse clothes on-line, I browse the Amazon Fresh food aisles.  Whole Foods offered this great package of Frozen beef tamales.  I couldn't click fast enough.

Now normally when you make a huge pot of tamales, it's all about standing at the counter, waiting for them to cool from steaming and getting like 3 of them down before you even consider any kind of a dinner idea.  Actually, I don't think I ever made it beyond that.  You just eat them, as fast as you can.  But with the frozen and no hours of work and waiting behind me, I thought to put together a plate.  However, I'm also not the one to make homemade refried beans and Mexican rice this week, so I did a brown rice and opened a can of vegan beans but also included a side salad with avocado.  So there you have it, an odd Tamale dinner plate served in Brooklyn.  They were great though, of course that little extra magic that just-made, homemade gives was missing.  This was like Methadone to heroin.  It stopped me from dreaming about my sister's and that will have to suffice for now.

I miss my sister and want so much to taste her tamales.  Best case scenario would be for her to visit with a few dozen in hand.