"I don't plan on using vegetable shortening...ever....so had to find something else for the pumpkin pies. I mi..."

"Forget the cornmeal batter...I used the filling recipe and my own masa, sometimes with lard, sometimes with corn oil, depends upon what I have on hand. A friend of mine shared the tip of adding a couple of dried cranberries along with the filling in each tamale and that is totally great, too. I'm rating the filling only, can't get behind cornmeal in a tamale!

"So easy and so good....my daughter almost licked her plate. Had to sub ground ginger for the fresh, but the recipe was still just outstanding. Followed the directions to a T, served with steamed jasmine rice garnished with slivered scallions and steamed carrots and broccoli. This is definitely going in the rotation...and when weather is warmer I will put it on the grill.