1) do you HAVE to use lard? i had shortening and am going to try with that2) VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION- is there ANY way to cook the already made tamales besides steaming them in a quot;steam basketquot;.??? i dont have one of thoseand im already halfway through cooking them!! help QUICK
1) You can use shortening2) They need to be steamedIf you don't have a steam basket or a little steamer thing that goes on the bottom of your pot, wad up a bunch of aluminum foil and put in the bottom of your pot, or invert a small aluminum bowlThen add your water, carefully place tamales in pot, spacing properly so they will steam evenlySteam for about 45-60 minutesThe only true way to find out if they're done it to take one out and open it up to check the masa.
