Are your tamales gluten free?
Yes they are! We as well are very particular when it comes to our spices. If the spices we receive do not meet our expectations we decline the spices.
How long are the tamales good for?
Our tamales stay good in the refrigerator for up to a week. We recommend the tamales to be frozen only up to 2 months, to prevent freezer burn and loss of that good flavor.
The Cooling Methods, What's that?!
Most likely you have purchased your tamales hot and fresh! Didn’t finish eating the tamales? No problem leave the aluminum foil open and allow them cool on the counter for 30 minutes and put them straight in the refrigerator with the foil open. They will last a week from the point of purchase.
Not going to eat the tamales the day of purchase but heating the tamales another day? We’ve done the work for you, we have frozen cooked tamales ready to be put in the freezer or refrigerator to thaw out, but remember we recommend the tamales to be frozen up to 2 months. As well as from the point you have put the tamales in the refrigerator to thaw they are good for a week. Just ask one of our crew member and they will be happy to assist you!
Purchased the tamales hot but won’t eat them until a couple of days later and don’t want to freeze the tamales? Open up the aluminum foil and allow the tamales cool on the counter for 30 minutes, then you can store the tamales in the refrigerator with the aluminum foil open.
Just like any food that is cooked and hot which ever cooling methods you decide to do, one thing is certain NEVER store the tamales temperature hot and with the aluminum foil sealed straight in the refrigerator or the freezer. THEY WILL SPOIL and it has happened to customers mulitple times. Once the tamales have left Balderas and this has happened we cannot refund the tamales.
Re-Heating Cold Tamales.
MICROWAVE: Place tamales in a thin plastic bag. These bags can be found in the produce department at your local grocery store. We recommend splitting a dozen, 6 tamales in one bag and 6 in another. It is important to pour a tad bit of water inside before tying the bag, no water the corn husk will dry and the tamales will be very dry as well. Place the bag in the microwave for 3 – 4 minutes. Be careful the tamales will be steaming hot!
STOVE TOP: Steamers are the best option for heating the tamales on the stove top. If you are re-heating COLD COOKED TAMALES it takes an hour including 30 mintues to boil.
First things first MAKE SURE TO ADD WATER TO THE BOTTOM OF THE STEAMER depending on what the steamer is showing for your water level, it is very imporatant to not skip this step. Make sure the flap on the corn husk are faced down with the tamales showing faced up. If you put the flap of the corn husk faced up when heating, the tamales will spill out the bottom. Wait did you add the water and the flap of the corn husk face down? Yes, okay NOW you can put aluminum foil on top to seal the tamales, make sure the foil is tight and no tears in the foil. The less steam coming out of the steamer the better. Bring the water to a boil (30 min) and then bring the heat down to a medium and heat for 30-40 miuntes.
Believe it or not it also depends if you have an electric stove top or gas. Electric stove top takes a little longer for water to heat up rather than gas. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS watch your water level, if you hear the pot whistle it needs more water and quick it takes SECONDS for the tamales to burn! The corn husk will soak up the smell of burnt and it does not go away!
Re-Heating Frozen Cooked Tamales.
So you just purchased frozen cooked tamales and now you need to heat them up. If you are re-heating FROZEN COOKED TAMALES they take an hour and a half including the 30 mintues to boil.
Option 1: You can thaw out the tamales in the fridge and use the re-heating cold tamales method. We do not recommened re-heating frozen cooked tamales in the microwave
Option 2: First things first MAKE SURE TO ADD WATER TO THE BOTTOM OF THE STEAMER depending on what the steamer is showing for your water level, it is very imporatant to not skip this step. Make sure the flap on the corn husk are faced down with the tamales showing faced up. If you put the flap of the corn husk faced up when heating, the tamales will spill out the bottom. Wait did you add the water and the flap of the corn husk face down? Yes, okay now you can put aluminum foil on top to seal the tamales, make sure the foil is tight and no tears in the foil. The less steam coming out of the steamer the better. Bring the water to a boil (30 min) and then bring the heat down to a medium and cook for an hour.
Believe it or not it also depends if you have an electric stove top or gas. Electric stove top takes a little longer for water to heat up rather than gas. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS watch your water level, if you hear the pot whistle it needs more water and quick it takes SECONDS for the tamales to burn! The corn husk will soak up the smell of burnt and it does not go away!
Do you sell tamales all year or only just on the holidays?!
We sell our tamales all year, you want tamales at 7am for breakfast on a random Tuesday? We have them hot and ready at 7am! Want tamales on a hot summer day in the middle of June? We have them! Want tamales for Super Bowl parties, Fourth of July, Cinco De Mayo and Halloween parties? You guessed it.. we have them hot and ready! And last but not least we have them during the holiday’s!
