By the end of the class, you will: Know how to “doctor up” fresh masa to prepare proper, flavorful tamale dough Understand which types of fillings work well, and how you can improvise to create your own Be able to fill and fold tamales, as well as know how to make ahead and freeze them Tamale making parties (or “Tamaladas”) are holiday traditions for many families with Mexican heritage. While the process can be time consuming, it’s not difficult once you’ve had an expert walk you through it step by step. We’ll have two fillings prepared, one braised Pork and one Green Chile & Cheese, and then as a class you’ll prepare your fresh Masa-based tamale dough. As you would at Christmas, you’ll gather together to assemble tamales, wrapping them in classic corn husks for steaming. While your tamales are cooking, you and your classmates will prepare some salsas and side dishes to make the Tamalada meal complete, then you’ll sit down as a group to enjoy the fruits of your labor. You’ll leave not only with killer tamale-making skills, some recipes for classic Mexican dishes, but also a better understanding of the cultural significance of the Tamalada.