Product Review; Hormel Tamales

Growing up in the city in the early and mid 50's, there use to be people that would sell Tom's Hot Tamales on street corners. These vender's would have a cart that had either a small burner in it or a thick insulated pan to keep them warm. They were sold for 10 cents a piece. If you got them with a bun or trimmings, they cost a little bit more. Since that time, I have only come across hot tamales at local carnivals.

About two years ago, our town added a Dollar General Store. It was at that time that I rediscovered tamales. The cost $1 a can of six. I like to just open a can on a cold day and warm them quickly in the microwave oven. six of them is enough for 2 or 3 individuals as long as they are served with something else.

The Hormel Food Company is located in Austin, Minnesota. They make all types of food products for consumption. Hormel Tamales are just one of those products.

A can of Tamales weighs 15 ounces. They have no preservatives. Each can is marked clearly about this fact. The ingredients are water, beef, corn meal, tomato paste, salt, chili powder, food starch, paprika, spice, and pepper flavoring.

The nutrition facts are the following; 140 calories of which 60 or fat, total fat is 7g-11%, cholesterol is 15 mg-5%, sodium 710 mg-30%, carbohydrates 15 g-5%, dietary fiber 2g-8%, sugars 0g, protein 4 g. It also provides 4% of Vitamin A and 4% Iron. These are based on a 2000 calorie per day intake.

Each can gives serving directions for both a microwave and a range top heating process. The can also has a recipe for a way to use the product as well. for example, the can that I got had a recipe for a Tamale Casserole. For the casserole, you take one can of Hormel Tamales and one can of Hormel Chili with or without beans. First you spread the chili in a 11 by 7 inch baking dish. Next you remove the paper from the tamales. Place the tamales spaced slightly apart from each other on the top of the chili. Sprinkle onions (finely chopped) and your favorite cheese over the top of these tamales.

Place your dish into a preheated oven of 350 degrees. You cook them from 25 to 30 minutes. In the microwave , place on Hi for 4 minutes.

I submit that there are even better ways to use Hormel Tamales. I like to make stuffed green peppers with them. The recipe is very simple. Take 4 to 6 Bell Peppers and cut off the tops and clean out the seeds. Take one can of Hormel Tamales and one can of diced tomato's and mix them together in a bowl after you have taken off the tamale paper. Fill the Green peppers with the mixture, put the pepper tops back on. You can use tooth picks to hold the lids on. Place them in either an open or lid top pan. Cook them at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

Some individuals will put cheese in the mixture and some will place slices of cheese on the tops of the peppers the last 5 to 7 minutes of the cooking process. That is for people that love cheese. Either way tastes very good.

The Hormel Foods web site has lots of recipes for their products and you can get lots of good ideas by visiting it.