How To Make Tamales with Claire Saffitz | Dessert Person

How To Make Tamales with Claire Saffitz | Dessert Person
Join me, Claire Saffitz, as I dive into the world of tamale-making with Executive Chef Rick Lopez of La Condesa Restaurant in Austin, Texas. Rick takes me through the entire process of making fresh masa for tamales, revealing the fascinating art of nixtamalization. We'll be crafting two mouthwatering tamale variations-one filled with cochinita pibil and another featuring a delightful mushroom filling, both beautifully wrapped in banana leaves. Come along and witness the delicious journey of how these incredible tamales come to life at one of Austin's favorite dining spots!
#clairesaffitz #tamales #mexicanfood
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Video Series:
Producer/Director: Vincent Cross
Camera Operator: Calvin Robertson
Editor: Hal McFall
Animation Credits:
Character Designer/Animator: Jack Sherry
Character Rigger: Johara Dutton
Background/Prop Designer: M. Cody Wiley
Background Illustrator: Jagriti Khirwa

[@CSaffitz]

Had a great time learning about nixtamalization and making tamales-what's your favorite kind? Also, find me on Instagram and TikTok @csaffitz for some exciting updates this year!

[@Fenix5jr]

Hi Claire! I’m such a big fan 😭❤️ please do a Filipino dessert episode 🥺 we have lots of desserts that keep getting overlooked mainly cause people don’t understand Filipino food. We have this amazing cake that uses french techniques and not a lot know about it. It’s called Sans Rival and it even has its own cookie version called Sylvanas. It’s a dacquoise turned cake using French buttercream 🥹

[@sheeba8676]

Hi Clair, I love these episodes. My one request is to tie up your hair when visiting chefs in their kitchens.

[@MillieGraham-kp6nh]

At the Tamale Festival in Indio, CA this year there was a beef short rib tamale that was to die for.

[@hannahcollins1816]

​@@MillieGraham-kp6nhOooh yum!! Love short ribs 😍

[@laurenschenck5355]

Please make this permit series on KZbin ❤❤❤

[@alejandroroza9447]

Please give this woman a Netflix food/travel series

[@catherinefreure7083]

I second the motion for Claire to get a cooking series

[@wvusciguy]

Give? This woman has earned it.

[@rat_king2801]

sorry i dont have any spare ones the give out

[@LittleCheebs]

Nah the Netflix producers would ruin it

[@preetitigga2722]

Yesssss

[@pez300]

OMG I love Rick! I used to work at La Condesa and he is truly a gem of a human. Glad to see him show off his nixtamalization love with Claire

[@albertdchen90]

The production is so amazing. Glad that large corps don't have a monopoly on creating food contents like these.

[@nataliemccluskey1199]

I love this guest! He’s such a natural on camera Really informative

[@TheDingledong4lyfe]

Watching tamale videos is my family's oldest Thursday tradition. Thank you, Claire.

[@julieblair7472]

Something I learned from this is that Claire is such a good listener. I am so excited for more of these.

[@Fenix5jr]

You should do a Filipino dessert episode!! 🥺 Especially now since Ube (a native plant in the Philippines) has been gaining so much traction here in the U.S.!!

[@Elcolorado87]

I love tamales in banana leaves! That's how my family always made them. It was great to learn the restaurant way of prepping the banana leaves. That's something I always wanted clarified.

[@muffinsrawesome]

Banana leaf tamales are the best tamales tbh

[@andresfarrera376]

As a Mexican I really appreciate the deep dive into nixtamalization 🤩

[@nikiniki7176]

Sí🎉

[@AudenimLock]

It’s wonderful that Claire combines “how it’s made” vibes into her content. This was so enjoyable to watch! I’ve never had tamales before but they look scrumptious 😲 the way it’s prepared reminds me of a sweet potato dessert my grandmother would make in St.Vincent- it was wrapped in banana leaves as well. It’s called “Ducana”. I’d adore seeing food featured from the Caribbean 🥰

[@Rodviet]

I just moved to Austin from Mexico and i cant wait to go to his restaurant, this man is legit oh my God! I always remember my mom telling me that the masa should look airy and like mousse, way more liquid than youd think, so the end product is soft and dreamy. And he totally nailed it! The ingredients seem basic, like they should be. Ugh, amazing! Thank you Claire!

[@boscosworld]

Top quality youtube content. I don't get much time to watch youtube, but when I do I want it to be fun, chilled, relaxing, and interesting. Been watching Claire's content since the begining on different channels. I feel like this is her natural home. I've never had tamales as they are not a common food in the UK l, but now I will go looking for some. You guys brought them to life, the care and passion for this dish was so abundant.

[@bermbi6662]

Such a great episode - Rick is so sweet and the Tamales looked INCREDIBLE

[@SrJohnnyCat]

Omg. This video was so beautiful. I'm from Mexico, so seeing tamales on your channel really is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Rick!

[@margaretgoertz6812]

I appreciate the chef’s use of metric measurements and his precision. I wish more recipes for home cooks used this method

[@syd2248]

Love seeing chefs at work! It’s *almost* as gratifying as being there with them physically making the food😅

[@bangarJb]

Just swooning over Claire!!! Ugh! I love her

[@huntermessick6743]

I loved this episode! As someone from San Antonio, it’s super cool to see Claire working with local Texan chefs!!

[@geoffreyblackmer]

Haha he's so adorable! More of this guy. G r e a t episode. I'm so hungry now 😅

[@thecleaner94]

Love that you did a tamale episode. Rick damn well knows that 3 tamales is never enough. Half dozen increments at the smallest. Tamale season is the best season in Texas

[@jrdmgl6190]

wow... why am i kinda in love with rick T.T THE CHARISMA IS CRAZY...

[@sarahdunne9452]

Old La Condesa server here, so awesome to see Rick! He is an great guy and they do not mess around with the food at La Condesa. I learned so much about Mexican cuisine working there, a must go in Austin

[@JPKoutloud]

I’ve had the pleasure of eating at La Condessa many times. Such a fun episode.

[@SelmiEmi24]

I loved seeing this. My background is Mexican & Salvadoran, but I grew up around people from Guatemala. I was taught that Mexico used corn husks and that Guate used banana leaves. Both are phenomenal, but banana leaf and specifically Guatemalan tamales will always have my heart

[@davidrosenlieb3051]

Love these visits with the local chefs. Rick was awesome!

[@mariavillagomez1665]

what a great video!! i love tamales and the process behind them. this was such a treat!

[@donnathomas2297]

Thanks for shining a light on my hometown.

[@chrissteele7823]

We love seeing you on the road doing things like this. We are heading to Austin in a month and will make sure to stop and enjoy this wonderful food.

[@caytieee]

I loved this video. Rick had such good energy and the tamales looked amazing.

[@andrewmccrea37]

Love seeing collaboration, research, and evaluation. These videos are so great- it really encourages exploration as a home cook.

[@buttonsthemod]

Great video Claire! Loved this one, Rick is great.

[@l.d-h3841]

Making them this week! We usually push back making the bulk of our tamales from the holiday to January or February because it's just a lot more relaxing. My favorite this year is venison roast with a mole sauce in yellow corn masa. They change every year. 💛

[@marahquinonez-dominguez6437]

Claire’s Austin tour is to live for 😍

[@Ivxnrxjxs]

Very fun and informative episode. As a lover of tamales in all forms, I'm glad you were able to provide us with a tour and tutorial from La Condesa. Viva tamales.

[@oliviajoyberg]

Claire!!! I have been following you for years, I have both your books, and I love love love all your content ❤

[@easilystartled2203]

I really love Dessert Person, but I think there's something so special about Dessert People episodes. I love Claire's expertise, she's so incredibly intelligent, talented, and good at communicating those skills to an audience. It is a whole other level though when you bring in guests. Seeing and celebrating their talents and finally sharing in the food is truly Where The Heart Is.

[@emmag.12]

i always walk away from a claire video feeling inspired and hungry!

[@RadicallyRiley01]

Aaa!! I love to see these travel videos from Claire!! I'd love to see a little road trip series of Claire trying different cuisines around America :D

[@bradm112]

this was so interesting!! what a great video

[@kaialexanderbustos224]

Love this series, thanks for representing Austin!!

[@myusernamewastaken_]

This is one of my favorite channels ❤

[@gail1420]

Well this has been so enjoyable and have learned a lot. Rick is a good teacher.

[@musicismylove92]

Was in such awe of the process and the delicious food that I almost forgot to "like" (thankfully I'm already subbed), so ty for the reminder 😇

[@laurenschenck5355]

Love this series so much!! 😊😊❤❤

[@SincerelyBern]

Such a great episode!

[@Elirum]

Loved seeing tamales prepared from scratch! Some of the best I ever had was in Bogotá. Also, all the varieties and national differences are super interesting! Cubans make it in the corn husk itself, which tends to lean towards a slightly drier finished product. Would love to hear how different tamales are made, Claire is such a great person to see interact with all sorts of peoples and things, she’s so curious and respectful and genuine.

[@lucib2924]

That was so fun and interesting to watch💚

[@lechatbotte.]

Oh my gosh nothing I love more than homemade tamales. They’re the thing for Christmas. I became the tamale queen one year because I ate so many. I love savory and sweet. The sweet are an extra skill not everyone cane make them well. Yep that calcium hydroxide is like lye caustic. That’s how it softens that hard corn

[@ryebis]

I could have Tamales for starter, mains and dessert. So much joy in a small package.

[@the-birbo]

I just realized what the intro song reminds me of. It sounds like the Doug theme song!

[@anoopramakrishna]

Love this direction for the channel!

[@PeaceRose96]

they look sooooo good oh my god!

[@brendar2302]

Literally just got back from Mexico and had tamales for the first time ever. Doubly inspired now to learn how to make these! Thanks for the very informative video!

[@RickyGalvez]

NIce to see the process, tamales are such a great comfort food en Latin America, in Honduras we have nacatamales around Christmas and it is usually the food the inaugurates the Hollidays 😄

[@lillianapadilla7832]

So interesting to see different styles of tamales

[@heathergleiser]

My first and only trip to Austin was six years ago. This is making me want to go back so I can eat there!

[@Doncooks]

Chef Rick is the BEST. Love LaCondesa 🔥

[@jinh817]

This is as amazing! 😊

[@my2monstas]

Great video! So much insight into the world of tamales. Would also love to see other cuisines featured here on Dessert People 😋 We’d love to have you and the team here in Hawaii 🌺

[@jenihansen7201]

Wow Claire, you are the best. I love these teaching videos. All of your videos are brilliant.

[@CSaffitz]

Thank you so much!

[@npatu2003]

Everyone is happy when the bottom is clean!

[@inMuro]

Ah this looks great, we don't get to eat a lot of mexican food here in europe so it's cool to see such a foreign approach to food or cooking

[@potato7461]

intro always get me happy

[@slenderhatesyou]

YESS TAMALES - rick is such a gem!

[@zaynhso289]

That’s so nice!!

[@elizaheathen]

claire on the road! LFG

[@adelleamors]

the use of the banana leaf reminds me of a filipino rice cake dessert called “suman”! how fun :3

[@iananelson8256]

When I was younger I worked for a sign company in Bakersfield, CA. Once a month there was a lovely old woman who would come by selling tamales for her church. They were always an amazing treat! My coworkers and I would buy half a dozen chicken and half a dozen beef and have them all week.

[@user-max65]

If you were a man, one dozen is lunch....😂😂

[@sheilacortez8070]

Aww thank you for nostalgic memories of living in Delano, bless you

[@laurenschenck5355]

Another fun episode 😊😊❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@robbicu]

OMG this was a fun one!

[@zachwalker3148]

Thanks for doing more savory (not dessert) videos, Claire. I get that's your jam, but I enjoy seeing you step outside of the box here and there.

[@candylove1234]

This is so cool! ❤

[@amberrousse7280]

Claire, your active listening skills are unmatched

[@honeyfromthebee]

Never had a vegan tamal before but would definitely try these 😋

[@giggly117]

You should def look into a puerto rican restaurant and how they do their masa for puerto rico’s version of tamales. They are called pasteles and use banana leaves to wrap traditionally. It is so good the masa is made of plantain and roots❤ I love this video its interesting they used banana leaves as it is more common to use a corn husk tamales. But In Yucatan they use banana leaves. I would love to try their tamales!

[@Oliviuuuh1210]

Puerto Rican and Caribbean cuisine is sooo flavorful- I love it! Yes in Mexico corn husks for tamales are widely used but banana leaves are traditional and prevalent not just in the Yucatán peninsula but throughout southern Mexico.

[@arehresman]

Great topic and video

[@riley25321]

this was fun!!

[@jennynowicki]

I am here for all the love! 🎉This looks muy delicioso!! 🤌

[@josephinemartin]

These look so delicious!

[@silverleafmaple]

Thanks Chef Rick Lopez :) We're coveting your blender!

[@miguelangel-zg1bp]

Clair is awesome🎉

[@dobby3159]

I am in love with him 😍

[@houchi69]

Dessert tamales. Let's go!!!

[@mariainesmontenegro2440]

MORE RICK PLEASEEE!!

[@adicortez302]

Chef Rick Lopez is a heartthrob. ❤

[@arijua]

My guy is doing tamales like Dominican pasteles en hojas! lets go!!! want one!

[@laurenschenck5355]

OMG! Looks absolutely delicious Claire ❤❤❤❤❤

[@ryanw1109]

Hoping some BBQ stops come out of this Texas trip!!! 🤩

[@catherinecornelius120]

So happy that this can be vegan or vegetarian! Thank you, Claire. 🙂

[@yeseniae7256]

I've always thought that you don't "need" manteca (lard) to make tamales and use oil instead, but never really put the effort to make this myself haha, this was a great response to that, also very interesting take on using sweet potatoes with cochinita

[@victoriavillarreal1056]

Rick!!!!!

[@elenamarievera7350]

You should try puerto rican pasteles, very similar to the context and structure/process of a tamale but with mashed plantains on the outside and more of stewed chicken and pork inside. You should also try mofongo.

[@xBobaFetish]

wow that looks delicious

[@laurenschenck5355]

Please make this permit KZbin series and plus traveling and etc ❤❤❤😊😊

[@SamGiles]

Verdict: Mmm - TRAVEL mode!! Haha love it!

[@mellowmel8645]

This looks just like pasteles en hoja 🇩🇴 🇵🇷

[@tatianagonzalez4005]

Claire is just so beautiful I love her!

[@Makeoutkidx2]

THE CAT SHIRT!!

[@bangmrk]

Loving these videos! Would love to see some more regional American series. Would love to see some Cajun/creole cooking especially!