Last month my good friend Ivy of Kopiaste (that amazing blog full of Greek deliciousness) held a savory pie event. Unfortunately, I missed it because I was sure it ended the 8th of October when in reality it ended the last day of September. That’s what happens when you live in an alternative world where people care about each other and the environment, equality exists and politicians are honest. It is 6 a.m. here and I am still dreaming, leave me alone. LOL
Anyway, Ivy decided to hold a second event, this time the theme is sweet pies (and this time she made sure to include the deadline on the badge so people like me don’t forget it) and I promised myself I was going to make it this time.
The pie I prepared (late) for last month’s event had a tortilla masa base instead of the typical pie pastry base which gave it the taste and feel of a tamale. I wanted to make something similar with a sweet pie, and chocolate tamales came to mind. When I was a kid my dad used to take us to this tamale place where the owners made the most delicious tamales ever. They had all kinds of flavors including pineapple and chocolate. I had some cherries leftover from this cake so I decided to make an unconventional cherry pie and this is what came out:
Ben’s chocolate tamale cherry pie.
For this recipe you will need:
- 1 can sweet cherries
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 TBSP corn starch
- 2 cups tortilla masa
- 1 abuelita chocolate bar
- 2 cups water
- whipped cream
Preparation:
- Drain cherries and pour them in a medium sized pot over medium high heat. Apart, mix sugar and corn starch and add to the cherries and a little bit of water, about 1 TBSP. Cook for 15 minutes and refrigerate for 2 hours before using.
- Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
- Pour 1 cup of water into a small pot over medium heat, add chocolate bar and stir constantly until it dissolves.
- Using a wooden spoon mix tortilla masa, chocolate water and the rest of the water. until you get a uniform brown dough. Add more water as necessary if the dough looks dry or doesn’t hold together.
- Spread chocolate dough on a baking dish covering the bottom and sides. Pour cherries and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Serve warm.
I liked this pie a lot, but honestly, it wasn’t close enough to the chocolate tamales from that little tamaleria. I need to ask my dad how to make those fluffy, moist tamales. He and the tamaleria owner were close friends and I know my dad learned how to make tamales like those. But in the meantime enjoy this unconventional pie.
¡Buen provecho!
This post is also an entry for Lore’s monthly roundup, Original recipes.If you have any original recipe don’t forget to send it over to Lore’s place.
26 Replies
hmmm… with cherries, this gotta be something special…
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Chocolate & cherries must be a match made in heaven!
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
What a great looking pie you’ve made young man! Gotta love the abuelica chocolate, ahahah!
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
A gorgeous looking cake Ben, I’d buy this.
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Speaking of chocolate tamales, that’s going to be one of my posts for the chocolate blog. I’ve never had Tamale Cherry Pie. I’ll have to try it. You did a great job.
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
If you learn how to make those chocolate tamales you so have to share..I have half a bag of masa flour waiting to be used
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
This looks amazing. Wish I could bake. Didn’t get the baking gene I’m afraid, but I love the pictures.
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I looked thru your food posts and was looking for a dish I had once in Mexico City called alambre. Have you ever made it or know what is generally in the traditional recipe? All I can remember is that I loved every bite of it.
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Yup chocolate and cherries, a total winner. Maybe you and McCain can agree on that? Haha did I go there? Yup I sooo did… kidding of course
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
That cake is humongous! You shared, right? I’m loving the idea of choco tamales. Seriously. Was the masa the only chocolate part, or were they filled with chocolate, too? I’m thinking a layer of melted chocolate under those cherries would be amazing…Yum!
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I like the sound of a masa chocolate cake made with the Mexican chocolate drink mix. Cherries sound like a great combo with this cake as well.
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Oooh! How delightful Ben! Love this whole chocolate and cherry combination. A great entry.
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Wow, Ben! This looks fantastic! Not only is it a combination I have never heard of (but would love to try) but it is gorgeous!
Posted on October 9th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Interesting! That Pie looks gorgeous! Really fantastic!
Cheers,
Rosa
Posted on October 10th, 2008 at 12:22 am
The pie sounds and looks fantastic. I like the way you made the pastry shell, melting the chocolate in water and making the dough. Thanks for participating and good luck for the prize.
Posted on October 10th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Thanks for sharing this delicious dessert Ben!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!When I was a child I loved cherry pies the most!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It was my moms favourite!!
Posted on October 10th, 2008 at 5:14 am
Wow this looks sinfully delicious.
I would love to taste it as i have never had anythinglike this
Posted on October 10th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Can’t believe you made it with tortilla flour! Looks amazing!
Posted on October 10th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Oh that looks so different from anything I’ve had before! Wonderful Ben.
Posted on October 10th, 2008 at 10:58 am
This is such an unusual and inviting combination of ingredients. I really wish I could taste it…right now!
Posted on October 10th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Double B you deserve your nickname big time
. This is like nothing else I’ve ever seen! Thanks for sending it my way
Posted on October 11th, 2008 at 1:25 am
that looks awesome ben! I love the flavors:) I just baked a Pumpkin Pie for Ivy’s event!
Posted on October 15th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
[...] Chocolate Tamale Cherry Pie, by Ben, of What’s Cooking. [...]
Posted on October 24th, 2008 at 5:59 am
[...] Chocolate Tamale Cherry Pie, by Ben, of What’s Cooking. Ben says: “This pie was inspired by the chocolate tamales I [...]
Posted on November 2nd, 2008 at 10:24 am
This looks absolutely delicious!!! I have never heard of masa or the type of chocolate that you mention, but i will seek them out – I’d love to make this.
Posted on November 3rd, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Okay, Chocolate Lovers out there; listen up! Do I have a recipe for you! This great old recipe is from the folks at Hershey’s Chocolate. Chocolate and cherries just seem to go together and this recipe is more proof of that. When you serve these tasty squares to your friends, be sure to have a copy of the recipe handy. They are sure to ask for it. Or you can be secretive, if you want, and tell them it’s one of your vintage recipes that you just don’t share. But be warned, they will be expecting you to make them anytime you get together.
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 10:59 am
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