Description
Mexican comfort reigns supreme in this Tamale Soup with Tamale Dumplings, blending hearty spices and rich flavors. Comfort meets creativity as steaming bowls invite you to savor each spoonful of this soul-warming culinary journey.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (or shredded cooked chicken)
- 4 cups beef broth (or chicken broth if using chicken)
- 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can sweet corn, drained
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup enchilada sauce (red or green)
- 1 cup masa harina
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp melted butter or lard
- ½ cup warm chicken broth (add more if needed)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sour cream
- Diced avocado
- Shredded cheese
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a large pot with olive oil over medium heat, draining excess fat if necessary. Incorporate onion and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and softened.
- Seasoning Blend: Infuse the meat mixture with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and oregano to develop a rich, complex flavor profile.
- Liquid Base Creation: Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, pinto beans, corn, and enchilada sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld for 15-20 minutes.
- Dumpling Mixture: Combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Integrate melted butter and warm broth to form a soft, slightly sticky dough. Fold in cheese if desired.
- Dumpling Cooking: Reduce soup to a gentle simmer. Carefully drop masa dumplings into the liquid using a spoon or cookie scoop. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until dumplings are firm and fully cooked.
- Final Touches: Brighten the soup with a splash of lime juice. Serve in individual bowls, garnishing with fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocado, additional cheese, and lime wedges for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Drain excess fat after browning ground beef to prevent greasy soup and maintain clean flavor profile.
- Toast spices briefly before adding liquids to enhance depth and release maximum flavor compounds.
- Ensure masa dough is slightly sticky but firm enough to hold shape; add warm broth gradually for perfect texture.
- Substitute wheat-based ingredients with certified gluten-free masa harina and verify all other ingredients are gluten-free for celiac-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg