Making Tamales

Tamales are one of our favorite Mexican foods, and of the many different types, the mole (MO-lay) in banana leaves are the best.
David took a class in how to make tamales, and this photo is just one of the many steps.
Masa, a dough made of finely ground corn, lard, chicken broth, and salt, is whipped by hand into a thin oatmeal consistency. It is spread on banana leaves.
Many ingredients (20-30, depending) are needed to make the mole. Some recipes require 5 different types of chiles, chocolate, onion, banana, sugar, raisins, garlic, almonds, peanuts, sesame seeds, cinnamon, and other spices. It is like nothing else you have ever tasted! Oaxaca is famous for its moles.
Spread some masa on the banana leaf, spoon some mole in the center, add some shredded chicken, then fold the banana leaf in thirds horizontally then thirds vertically to make a little package.
All the tamales (some were made with beans wrapped in corn husks) are piled in a large steamer pot, covered with more banana leaves, and steamed for one hour.
Coupled with a cold beer, it's a treat from the gods!