If You Try A New Recipe This Christmas, Make It This One

"MA-sa, MI-sa, MA-sa, MI-sa!" This is what my siblings and I used to chant as kids at our family tamaladas. A tamalada is a large gathering—you could call it a party—where everyone helps assemble a huge batch of tamales, enough for everyone to eat right there, to take home for dinner, and to freeze for future meals. Growing up, we lived far from our extended family, so tamaladas were a rare treat we enjoyed when we traveled for the holidays.

It all starts with a fresh batch of dough made from masa, the stuff of our chanting. Spreading the soft substance on corn husks feels like play. And we hope it feels that way to you, too, when you try making your own. So we've compiled a guide to hosting a tamalada.

We've got all kinds of tamales recipes, from pork in a red salsa, to chicken in a green salsa, vegan tamales filled with luscious mushrooms, and even dessert tamales filled with a vibrant hibiscus jam. All of these are delicious on their own, but you may want to top them with salsa macha, pickled jalapeños, or crumbled cotija cheese.

Drinks? You could whip up a big batch of agua fresca for everyone, but who doesn't love the sight of a rainbow of Jarritos sodas? Maybe keep a secret batch of Ponche Navideño (aka charlar/gossip lubricant) in the kitchen for the grownups.

In the old days, my paternal grandmother used to mix her lard-based masa with ice cubes by hand. But you, my friends, can use an electric hand mixer instead. Pick up a large steamer insert for this project and we're pretty sure you'll find plenty of other uses for it. And oh yes, we do have recommendations for freezer bags, por supuesto.

What to Make This Week

Salsa Roja Pork Tamales

Get the Recipe

Chicken Tamales in Salsa Verde

Get the Recipe

Luscious Vegan Mushroom Tamales

Get the Recipe

Sweet Tamales With Hibiscus Jam Filling

Get the Recipe

The Spruce Eats Presents It's Elementary

What Makes a Sugar Cookie, a Sugar Cookie?

Watch & Learn

Did somebody forward you this email? Sign Up for The Spruce Eats Newsletter!

Have feedback? Send us an email at contact@thespruceeats.com, subject line: Newsletter Feedback.