Steam the tamales for one hour, checking the water level every 15 minutes or so. Add more water as necessary so the pot doesn't boil dry. Remove the tamales from the pot with a pair of tongs. Cool them on a rack for 15 minutes or until they cool enough to handle and unwrap comfortably.
Food and cosmetic use. Arrowroot powder is a natural powdered root starch that is white in color and very lightweight. It is derived from the tropical South American plant Maranta arundinacea. The plant was given the name âArrowrootâ because it was once used to treat those injured with wounds from poisoned arrows.
To use Arrowroot powder mix equal parts of powder and liquid to form a slurry. Then stir it into hot liquid for about 30 seconds til blended. One tablespoon of Arrowroot will thicken one cup of liquid. 1 part arrowroot powder replaces 2 parts flour. Common substitutes are: Tapioca Starch or Instant Clearjel or Cornstarch or Kudzu Powder or Potato Starch or Rice Starch or Flour. Keep in mind that each of these can produce undesirable appearance or flavor compared to the use of Arrowroot in a recipe.