Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tamales with Tomatillo Sauce

Ingredients

• 24 dried cornhusks
• Filling:
• 1 (1-pound) sweet potato
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
• 1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) preshredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Masa dough:
• 2 cups organic vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 3 3/4 cups masa harina
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• Tomatillo sauce:
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound fresh tomatillos, husked and rinsed (about 8)
• 1/3 cup organic vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cilantro leaves

Preparation

1. 1. Place corn husks in a large bowl; cover with water. Weight husks down with a can; soak 30 minutes. Drain.
2. 2. Preheat oven to 400°.
3. 3. To prepare filling, pierce potato with a fork; wrap in foil. Bake at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Peel potato; mash. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup onion; sauté 4 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon cumin and cinnamon; sauté 30 seconds. Add beans and green chiles; sauté 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Combine potato, bean mixture, cheese, and chopped cilantro.
4. 4. Increase oven temperature to 450°.
5. 5. To prepare masa dough, combine 2 cups broth and corn in a blender; process until smooth.
6. 6. Lightly spoon masa harina into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Add broth mixture and butter to masa mixture; stir until a soft dough forms. Cover.
7. 7. To prepare sauce, heat 2 teaspoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup onion, jalapeño, and garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Add tomatillos and next 5 ingredients (through 1/4 teaspoon salt); bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Cool slightly.
8. 8. Place tomatillo mixture and cilantro leaves in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to prevent splatters). Blend until smooth.
9. 9. To assemble, working with 1 husk at a time, place 3 tablespoons masa dough in center of husk about 1/2 inch from top, and press dough into a 4 x 3-inch rectangle. Spoon 2 tablespoons bean mixture down 1 side of dough. Fold husk over tamale, being sure to cover the filling with dough; fold over 1 more time. Fold bottom end of husk under. Place the tamale, seam side down, on the rack of a broiler pan lined with a damp towel. Repeat the procedure with remaining husks, dough, and bean mixture. Cover filled tamales with another damp towel. Pour 2 cups hot water in the bottom of a broiler pan; top with prepared rack.
10. 10. Steam at 450° for 1 hour, adding water as necessary to maintain a depth of about 1/2 inch. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve with sauce.