Homestyle Hot Tamales - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 lbs ground chuck
4 medium onions, finely chopped
3 ounces chili powder
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
4 -5 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1/2 cup cornmeal, plain, plus more for rolling

Preparation

Mix by hand in a large bowl the meat, onion, 2 ounces chili powder, 1 can tomato sauce, water, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne and 1/2 cup corn meal. Prepare two shallow bowls, one with water and one with additional plain corn meal. Take about 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture at a time and shape into a small log. Roll lightly in additional corn meal.
Roll in paper that has been passed through water (one paper at a time). Close one end and roll up, folding remaining edge under. Put tamales in rows in opposite directions in a large roaster that can be covered and used on the stove.
Bring two quarts water to a boil and add remaining tomato sauce and 1 ounce chili powder. Cover tamales with mixture, adding more water if needed. Cover and simmer for 2 hours on stovetop. Serve warm with buttered crackers. Tamales re-warm well in microwave.