Since 2007, the philanthropic Benchmark Institute of San Francisco has hosted A Taste of Tequila and Tamales by the Bay. This festival is a fundraiser to raise money for the legal defense of underserved communities here in California. And for the past two years, Chef Lito has walked away from this festival a winner!
In 2009, Chef Lito wowed the competition with his delicious Corundas de Puerco corma (another name for tamales). Savory braised pork spare ribs were perfectly paired with a sweet and tangy green sauce made of tomatillos and chiles de arbol, and topped with Mexican cheese, sour cream, and pinto beans.
The winning tamale, or corma, this past year was Lito’s amazing open-faced vegetarian corma. Cradled in a steamed banana leaf and topped with mushrooms and rajas con crema, this delicious cactus corma is cooked in light olive oil, not heavy lard, and is served with Mexican cheese, sour cream, and frijoles Poblanos.
Learn more about the Benchmark Institute here: benchmarkinstitute.org.
