Masaya Nacatamal 🌽

Method

1. 1

   Beat masa with warm stock, lard and salt until a spoon leaves a ribbon that holds shape — the dough should float an uncooked egg; that's the market-woman's test.

2. 2

   Marinate pork in achiote, orange juice and salt; lay out cleaned, wilted banana leaves over parchment.

3. 3

   Spread a palm of dough on each leaf, then rice, a spoon of pork with its sauce, potato, carrot, tomato, onion, pepper and two mint leaves.

4. 4

   Fold into tight rectangular parcels, string them, stand upright in a deep pot with water halfway, steam 2 hours, then let them rest in the pot another 30 minutes; eat unwrapped with coffee and bread.