Even the most dedicated healthy eater can find it challenging at times to come up with something tasty and easy to make at the end of a long day. You know, something a bit more exciting than your everyday bowl of beans and greens. Enter these fiesta worthy vegan tamales! They are (fortunately) extremely easy to make, and this low fat version is healthy to boot!

Low Fat Vegan Tamales

Ingredients for Filling: Red Pepper

Portabella Mushroom

Can of Black Beans, drained

Zucchini

Lime Juice

Cumin (start with 1 tsp and work your way up slooowly, cumin is a powerful spice)

Salt and Pepper

Cilantro

2 Ears of Corn

1-3 Serrano Peppers

Small amount of Vegetable Stock

Garlic

Shallots (or 1 Red Onion)

1. Finely chop all the vegetables, and place into a pan. Using some vegetable stock to sautee all the ingredients (except the lime juice and cilantro), cook on medium high heat for 6-7 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.

2. Add the lime juice and cilantro. Take off heat.

Ingredients for the Masa Dough:

4 Cups Instant Masa

1/4 Cup Olive Oil

2 tsp Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon Salt

Combine all ingredients and form into balls with your hands.

I bought corn husks at my local grocery store and rinsed them under hot water until they became pliable. Lay the husk down on a flat surface and place a masa dough ball in the middle of the husk. Flatten the ball with your palm, spreading the dough and making sure to leave some space at the top and bottom of the husk to make it easier to fold.

Fill the tamale and fold the husk over itself and make sure the filling is completely covered. Roll one side of the husk into itself (kind of like sushi or burrito making). Fold the ends under and use strips of cut corn husk to tie it together.

Steam the tamales for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool.

Top with your favorite salsa, and devour!

Also by Jessica: Why Calorie-Restrictive Diets Don’t Work

Low-Fat Gluten-Free Vegan Pizza

The Amazing Sweet Potato – Plus Ethiopian Wat Recipe!

Benefits of Carob – plus Raw Cherry Carob Brownie Recipe!

Love this article? Keep up-to-date on the latest from Peaceful Dumpling: Subscribe to our Newsletter!

__

Photo: Jessica Ferguson