Tamales Costa Rica Recipe - Authentic Costa Rican Delight

Ingredients

• 2 lb (907 g) of instant corn masa mix
• 3 lb (1.4 kg) of pork shoulder roast, beef roast or boneless chicken
• 1/4 lb (110 g) of pork lard or vegetable shortening
• 1 cup (240 ml) of corn oil
• A batch of Tico-style rice (approximately 5 cups cooked, see ingredient list and recipe below)
• 2 1/4 lb (1 kg) of potatoes
• 8 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 lb (225 g) of sweet or hot peppers, according to taste
• 1 large onion (optional)
• 2 1/4 lb (1 kg) of banana leaves (corn husks can be substituted, or if desperate, aluminum foil)
• coriander leaves (cilantro), salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, achiote (annato)
• 3 – 5 sprigs of cilantro (coriander leaf)
• 1 small or half a medium onion
• 1/2 of a small red or yellow sweet pepper (optional)
• 3 cups (700 ml) of chicken broth or water
• 2 cups (350 ml) of white rice
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) of salt
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) of vegetable oil