Tamales Bring Generations Of Chicago Chef’s Family Together For Holidays

Tamales Bring Generations Of Chicago Chef’s Family Together For Holidays

CHICAGO — When Jhoana Ruiz lifted the large pot lid, a cloud of warm steam filled the air, revealing over a dozen freshly made tamales. Ruiz still remembers her first tamale: the classic sweet, pink, strawberry-flavored tamal de fresa. It was one of several varieties sold by the lady with a big stand near her elementary school in Mexico City. Ruiz loved the fluffy, warm dough, but not the raisins traditionally added to it, she said. Tamales are …