Mini Tamale Bites with Avocado Crema

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Servings:

• Recipe serving size: 2 bites
• Number of servings: Adjust Reset

Ingredients:

• For the Filling:

• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup corn, fresh or frozen
• 1/3 cup salsa
• 1/3 cup shredded Mexican cheese
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

• For the Masa Shell:

• 1 ripe, fresh avocado, halved, pitted and peeled
• 1 cup dried corn masa for tamales
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cup low sodium vegetable broth or water, warmed

• For the Avocado Crema:

• 1 ripe, fresh avocado, halved, pitted, and peeled
• 3 Tbsp. plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 3 Tbsp. water
• 2 Tbsp. cilantro
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions:

1. Make the bean filling:

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion and garlic with 1 teaspoon olive oil for 2-4 minutes. Add the cumin, chili powder, corn, black beans, salsa, and cheese. Cook for 5 minutes or until the bean mixture is hot.

1. Make the Masa:

2. Add the avocado to a bowl and mash well with a fork. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix 1 cup of masa with the cumin, baking powder, and salt. Add the vegetable broth and stir until it becomes a crumbly consistency. Add the mashed avocado and mix by hand until a dough forms.
4. Spray mini muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray. Use a tablespoon to Scoop the masa mixture into your hand and roll into a ball then place in the muffin tins. Use a round teaspoon to press a deep indention in the center of the masa balls.
5. Fill each masa shell with the bean mixture (about ½ tablespoon). Bake for 20 minutes. Allow the tamale bites to cool 5-10 minutes before extracting them from the muffin tins. Use a small sharp knife to gently lift each tamale bite out with your fingers.

1. Make the Crema:

2. While the tamale bites bake, make the crema by adding the avocado, yogurt, water, garlic, salt, and lime juice to a small blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of crema onto each tamale bite.

Notes & Tips: