INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE FILLING: – Place the chopped pieces of chocolate in a glass bowl and then pour the hot water in. Mix well using a balloon whisk. At the beginning, it will look like it’s curdling, but if you keep beating it, it will become a smooth paste. Now, add the cocoa powder and keep beating until it acquires a thick, creamy texture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours. It will be ready when it looks like thick yogurt.
FOR THE CHOCOLATE TAMALES: – Mix the chopped chocolate with the hot water until it dissolves, then set aside.
– In a large bowl, mix the masa harina with the warm water and vegetable oil. Knead well.
– Add the melted chocolate and vanilla extract to the dough and keep kneading.
– Stir in the cocoa powder, light brown sugar, and salt. Keep kneading until you have a uniform texture (the dough will be very creamy).
– To form the tamales, place about ⅓ cup of dough on a piece of banana leaf (or cornhusk) and add a tablespoon of solid chocolate ganache filling to the center of the dough. Fold the edges of the banana leaf of cornhusk to wrap the tamal.
– Cook in a pot with a steam rack for 45 minutes. After that time, let them rest for 30 minutes before serving.