Yum

     So, it appears that I’ve attracted Vegan Tamales in my life! Weird, right? I know. Let me explain. For years, I’ve been wanting to learn how to make tamales, but I always had this idea that tamales are hard to make. I don’t know why I thought this, I didn’t really research it, I just didn’t know what to do. I’ve picked up the wrappers at the store, looked at them, and put them down. I had a mental block! Around Christmas time I really started thinking about them a lot. We live in Southern California, and all during December, you see signs on restaurants that say ‘order your Christmas tamales’, and there’s even a tamale factory that gets a line around the block for the whole week before Christmas. I know that, because one year, a very pregnant, tamale craving me, sent my husband down there to get some, only to find out later that they don’t sell vegan tamales, but that’s a whole other story…  (Tamales are traditionally made with lard, butter, and chicken stock, and filled with other, mostly, non-vegan ingredients).  Anyway, I was thinking about tamales a lot, when I was presented with an awesome opportunity! A fellow vegan food blogger, Dora, from Dora’s Table, asked me if I was interested in reviewing her new book, Vegan Tamales Unwrapped. What?! Perfect timing! So of course, I said YES! I’m so glad I did too, because this book is awesome!  Oh, and it’s only $7.99There are detailed, step by step instructions for assembling the tamales, with lots pictures, and a whole variety of fantastic recipes to choose from. I knew that tamales came in savory varieties, usually stuffed with vegetables or meat, and sweet tamales (my favorite), but I had no idea that you could make CHOCOLATE TAMALES, or fruit flavored ones, like Dora’s recipe for blackberry tamales! (That one is next for me!) The best part, is that this book really demystified the whole process, and now I know that, not only are tamales actually very EASY to make, they are really fun too! Seriously, I really wish that I had this book years ago! I’m definitely going to be making up for lost time!

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