Churros From Casa Marcela Food

CHURROS

Steps:

• To make the churro dough: Combine 1 cup of water with the butter or margarine and the salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Using a wooden spoon, stir in flour. Reduce the heat to low and stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball, about 1 minute. Remove the dough from the heat and, while stirring constantly, gradually beat the eggs into the dough.
• To make the chocolate for dunking: In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in 1 cup of milk and reserve. Combine the chocolate with the remaining cup of milk in a saucepan. Stirring constantly, melt the chocolate over medium-low heat. Whisk the sugar and the dissolved cornstarch into the melted chocolate mixture. Reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking constantly, until the chocolate is thickened, about 5 minutes. (Add extra cornstarch if it doesn't start to thicken after 5 minutes.) Remove the pan from the heat and whisk until smooth then reserve in a warm place.
• Heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy, high-sided pot over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 360 degrees F. Mix the sugar with the cinnamon on a plate and reserve.
• Meanwhile, spoon the churro dough into a pastry bag fitted with a large tip. Squeeze a 4- inch strip of dough into the hot oil. Repeat, frying 3 or 4 strips at a time. Fry the churros, turning them once, until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked churros to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
• When the churros are just cool enough to handle, roll them in the cinnamon-sugar (in Spain churros are simply rolled in sugar.)
• Pour the chocolate into individual bowls or cups. Serve the warm churros with the chocolate dip.

CHURROS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, salt and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in flour until mixture forms a ball.
• Heat oil for frying in a deep fryer or deep pot to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Pipe 5- to 6-inch strips of dough into the hot oil using a sturdy pastry bag fitted with a medium star tip. Do not overcrowd the oil. Fry until golden; drain on paper towels.
• Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Roll drained churros in cinnamon and sugar mixture.

CHURROS

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium heat, stir together 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, the butter and salt, and bring to a simmer.
• In the meantime, preheat a deep fryer to 360 degrees F. Alternatively you can use a large heavy-bottomed pot with enough oil to come 3 inches up the sides.
• In a large bowl stir together the remaining 1 cup sugar with the cinnamon and set aside.
• When the dough mixture in the pot reaches a simmer, dump in the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to incorporate and remove lumps, about 1 minute.
• Remove the flour mixture from the heat and scrape into a heat-proof bowl. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until fully incorporated. Spoon the batter into a pastry bag or a plastic resealable bag fitted with a star tip and carefully pipe the dough into the heated oil, forming 6-inch strips. Fry in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot, for 3 to 5 minutes, turning once as the underside browns. Remove with a spider or slotted spoon and drain on paper-towel-lined sheet tray or plate. Repeat for the remaining churro batter.
• Gently add the hot churros to the bowl of cinnamon sugar, tossing to coat. Serve the churros with Tequila Infused Chocolate Ganache, Lavender Infused Cajeta, Strawberry Dipping Sauce and an assortments of nuts, strawberries and apple slices.
• Place the chocolate into a medium stainless-steel bowl.
• In a saucepot, combine the cream, orange liqueur, tequila, nutmeg and cinnamon stick. Heat the mixture over medium heat. Bring just to a boil, then remove from the heat. Remove the cinnamon stick, and then pour over the chocolate and whisk until smooth. Serve immediately.
• Combine the cream and lavender in a small saucepot and heat over medium heat. As soon as the cream comes to a boil remove from the heat and stir in the cajeta until it has been evenly incorporated. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve. Serve immediately.
• Combine the condensed milk and cream into a medium bowl. Whisk until evenly incorporated. Fold in the strawberries. Serve immediately.

CHURRO CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, sour cream, vanilla and eggs until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Turn the speed to low and add the dry ingredients. Blend until well combined, about 25 seconds.
• Pour 2 1/2 to 3 tablespoons of batter into each cupcake liner. Bake the cupcakes until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
• For the buttercream: Using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, vanilla and cinnamon until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed, about 2 minutes. With the machine running on low, add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, alternating with the milk, and mix until combined. Fit a pastry bag with a star tip and fill with the buttercream.
• For the tortilla crisps: Mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon on a large plate. Set aside.
• In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, add enough oil to come halfway up the sides of the pan. Heat over medium-high heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil registers 350 degrees F. (If you do not have a thermometer, test the oil with a piece of tortilla, which should sizzle when it touches the oil and should brown in 2 to 3 minutes.)
• Meanwhile, using a cookie cutter, cut the tortillas into different shapes and/or letters. Fry the tortilla pieces until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the crisps to paper towels to drain. While still warm, transfer to the cinnamon-sugar mixture and turn to coat.
• To assemble the cupcakes: Pipe a swirl of buttercream on each cupcake and top with a tortilla crisp.

CHURROS RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oil at 320F degrees while you make the churro batter. You can use a candy thermometer to check the temperature.
• Place the water, vanilla extract, salt, and butter in a saucepan at medium- high heat.
• Once it comes to a rolling boil, stir in the flour all at once. It is very important that the water is boiling to ensure that the dough will render crispy churros.
• Mix the dough vigorously using a wooden spoon or spatula. You have to do this step very quickly.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat, wait about a minute, then add the egg. Keep mixing until the egg is completely integrated into the dough (you can use a mixer for this step). In the beginning, the dough will want to separate after adding the egg, but keep mixing until the ingredients are well combined and you have a smooth and soft dough that separates from the bottom of the pot. This step will take a few minutes.
• Place the dough in the pastry bag fitted with a star-shaped tip. Make sure there aren't any bubbles of air in the dough while you place it inside the bag.
• Pipe 6-inch strips of dough on a prepared tray and then fry them (see notes). You can also pipe the strips of dough directly into the hot oil, cutting them with your kitchen scissors. The oil will start bubbling when you add the raw churro, and at this point you must not touch the oil or the churro, to avoid having an explosion.
• Fry the churros for about 2 to 2.5 minutes in hot oil ( 320F) until golden brown (in total it should take 4-5 minutes to cook each churro), and then turn the churros to have an even crispiness and golden color.
• Once they are golden, remove from the heat, place on the paper towel to drain for a few seconds, and then roll in the sugar.

HOMEMADE CHURROS

Steps:

• For the churros: In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the butter, sugar and salt to the water and stir until the butter is melted, the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is returned to a rolling boil. Meanwhile, whisk together the flour and cinnamon in a medium bowl until combined.
• Turn off the heat. Using a heatsafe rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the flour mixture until it's evenly saturated and coming together in a smooth ball. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Use the spatula to break up the dough into small pieces in the bowl and add the eggs and vanilla. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, work your way around the bowl incorporating the chunks of dough, egg and vanilla. The mixture will be lumpy at first. After 5 minutes of mixing, it should be evenly hydrated and smooth.
• Transfer the mixture to a large pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip. Note: A quart container or large cup is very useful to have standing by, since you will be picking up and putting down your pastry bag quite a bit.
• For the coating: In a baking dish or large bowl, add the sugar, cinnamon and salt. This will be used to coat the churros, so make sure the vessel is large enough that a churro can lay flat in the sugar mixture.
• To a large heavy-bottomed pot, add 1 1/2 to 2 inches of vegetable oil. Set over medium-high heat until a deep-frying thermometer registers 350 degrees F.
• Reduce the heat to medium and using your pastry bag, pipe four 5-inch-long churros directly into the oil. Use kitchen shears or a paring knife to cut off the dough from the piping bag so that it will fall into the hot oil. (The churros should not feel crowded; the number you can cook at a time will vary depending on your pot size.) Cook until the outsides are dark golden brown and the insides are cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes on each side. The churros should be a dark golden color before you flip them. Periodically check your thermometer and increase or decrease the heat as needed to keep your oil at 350 degrees F.
• When the churros are dark golden on both sides, lift them out with tongs and place on a rack to cool slightly and drain excess oil. While they are still warm, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture so they have a nice even coating. Repeat with the remaining dough. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CHURRO BITES

Steps:

• For the churro dough: Heat 2 inches oil to 350 degrees F in a wide 3 1/2 to 4-quart heavy pot over high heat.
• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 1 cup water and the cinnamon stick and bring to a boil. Discard the cinnamon stick. Add the butter, sugar and salt and stir until the sugar dissolves and the butter melts. Turn off the heat. Using a wooden spoon, quickly stir in the flour until it is well combined and a shiny dough forms. Return the pan to medium-heat and cook the dough, stirring, until it starts to pull away from the sides of pan, about 2 minutes. Transfer the dough to a medium bowl and let cool, about 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition, until the egg is completely incorporated (the dough will be sticky.)
• Transfer the dough to a pastry bag and pipe 1-inch pieces, cutting the dough with scissors every inch, into the hot oil. Fry the churro bites, 6 at a time, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels. Return the oil to 350 degrees F between batches.
• For the cinnamon sugar: Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
• For the Mexican chocolate sauce: Bring the heavy cream to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat and add the chopped chocolate, stirring until completely dissolved. Serve warm as a dipping sauce for the churro bites.
• Roll the warm churro bites in the cinnamon-sugar. Serve Mexican chocolate sauce alongside for dipping churro bites.

CAESAR SALAD FROM SALT FAT ACID HEAT

Steps:

• Start by preparing all your salty ingredients. Parmesan (grate), anchovies (pound), garlic (pound with a pinch of salt), salt (pour), Worcestershire sauce (remove cap).
• Make a Stiff, unsalted Mayo (see how to make mayonnaise - it's a little later in the book). Steady the bowl with a damp dish towel.
• Work in each salty ingredients a little at a time. Then add lemon and vinegar. Then taste.
• Now Stop. Needs salt, right? But what else? More anchovy? More Parm? Add some.
• Now taste again. Maybe add a little more Worcestershire.
• Taste again.
• Keep repeating (step 4) this till it tastes just right, adjusting with actual salt as needed.
• Then, once you've nailed it, dip some lettuce in for a final taste. Perfect.
• Toss with crispy lettuce and torn croutons. Top with parm and pepper to taste.
• Eat.
• Recipe courtesy of Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat. Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Salt-Fat-Acid-Heat-Mastering/dp/1476753830.

CHURROS

Steps:

• Boil the kettle, then measure 300ml boiling water into a jug and add the melted butter and vanilla extract. Sift the flour and baking powder into a big mixing bowl with a big pinch of salt. Make a well in the centre, then pour in the contents of the jug and very quickly beat into the flour with a wooden spoon until lump-free. Rest for 10-15 mins while you make the sauce.
• Put all the sauce ingredients into a pan and gently melt together, stirring occasionally until you have a smooth shiny sauce. Keep warm on a low heat.
• Fill a large deep saucepan one-third full of oil. Cooking with hot oil can be dangerous - before you start, read up on how to deep-fry safely to avoid accidents in the kitchen. Heat until a cube of bread browns in 45 seconds to 1 min. Cover a tray with kitchen paper and mix the caster sugar and cinnamon together.
• Fit a star nozzle to a piping bag - 1.5-2cm wide is a good size. Fill with the rested dough, then pipe 2-3 strips directly into the pan, snipping off each dough strip with a pair of kitchen scissors. Fry until golden brown and crisp. Be very careful here - if air bubbles form in the churros they can explode, especially if the oil overheats or you use old flour. Cooking with hot oil can be dangerous - before you start, read up on how to deep-fry safely to avoid accidents in the kitchen. Keep children out of the kitchen and protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and eye protection, and keeping your face away from the pan.
• Once the churros are crisp and golden brown, remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on the kitchen paper-lined tray. Carry on cooking the rest of the dough in batches, sprinkling the cooked churros with some cinnamon sugar as you go. When you've cooked all the churros, toss with any remaining cinnamon sugar and serve with the chocolate sauce, for dipping.To see a video of how to prepare churros, take a look at our churros ice cream sandwich recipe.