Progresso Tamale Parlor
  Authentic Mexican Food Recipes
  http://www.progressotamale.com
  "Serving Fine Mexican Food Since 1939"

  Mexican Tamale Recipes
  Fresh Tamale Masa Recipe
  by Margaret Zuniga-Healy

  1/3 pound lard 
  1 pound fresh ground masa 
  Water or chicken broth, if needed 
  1 tablespoon salt 

  Beat lard with an electric mixer to aerate (approximately 2 minutes). Beat in small amounts of 
  masa until all is incorporated into lard. Add a small amount of water or broth if needed. 
  (This is a personal judgment call.) When masa is desired consistency, beat in salt. 
  Test the masa for doneness by dropping a small amount in a glass of water. If the masa 
  floats, the masa is done. Do not overbeat or the masa will become dry and hard. 
  Refrigerate, covered, if not using immediately.

  Fresh ground masa can be found in Mexican specialty stores or in your neighborhood grocery 
  during the months of November-January. If you can't find fresh ground masa, try the Masa Harina 
  Masa Recipe.

  Notes: Unprepared masa is only ground corn. It should not be premixed or contain lard or salt. 
  Shortening, unsalted butter or margarine can be substituted for lard if desired.

  Yield: 1 dozen tamales
  Prep Time: 15 min
  Difficulty: Easy