Creamy Manjar Dulce De Leche Food

MANJAR OR DULCE DE LECHE - TRADITIONAL STOVETOP PREPARATION

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in large pot over medium low heat, stir until the sugar or panela is well dissolved. Reduce the heat to low.
• Continue cooking until the mixture is significantly reduced and starts to thicken while the color changes from a creamy beige to a caramel tone - it will take between 2 ½ hours to 3 hours for the dulce de leche to be done.
• During the first 1 ½ hours you will need to stir occasionally to prevent it from boiling over and sticking. During the last hour it needs to be stirred more frequently and has to be watched very closely to keep it from burning - you can also decrease the heat to low. Cook it until it has a dark amber or caramel tone and has a creamy consistency. Keep in mind that it will thicken more when it cools down.
• Can be served warm or cold and must be kept refrigerated.

MANJAR (DULCE DE LECHE) FROM SCRATCH

Steps:

• Bring milk, sugar, and vanilla extract to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking, and continuously stirring until the milk has thickened and turned a caramel color, about 1 hour or more.
• Stir in baking soda. Continue cooking until the caramelized milk has reached a pudding consistency. Pour manjar into a bowl and cool completely in the refrigerator.

CREAMY MANJAR (DULCE DE LECHE)

Steps:

• Combine milk, sugar, sweetener, and vanilla in the biggest pot you have. Place over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and bring to a rolling boil.
• As soon as it boils, combine water and baking soda in a small bowl and stir to dissolve; don't worry if it doesn't dissolve completely.
• Remove pot from the stove and place in the sink. Add baking soda mixture and stir vigorously as milk will expand rapidly-be prepared! When the mixture returns to its original volume, return the pot to the stove and bring to a very brisk simmer. It may concern you that it will scorch, but it should be practically boiling. Cook, checking and stirring occasionally, until it turns a deep golden brown, about 1 hour.
• After the mixture has turned dark caramel in color, check it more frequently. The longer you cook it after the color change, the thicker it will be. For a consistency similar to caramel, cook for another 15 minutes. For a thicker, spreadable consistency, cook for another 20 to 25 minutes. For a candy-like consistency, cook it even longer. Just remember that it will thicken up tremendously after cooling.
• Once you're ready, pour the caramel into a plastic container with a lid, or pour into jars. It can be kept without refrigeration, but with refrigeration it is good for many weeks.

DULCE DE LECHE

Steps:

• For the stovetop method: Remove the label from the can of sweetened condensed milk. Place 3 to 4 forks upside down on the bottom of a large 6- to 8-quart pot. Place the unopened can on top of the forks and cover with water by a few inches. (The forks help to prevent a vacuum between the bottom of the can and the pot.) Place the pot over high heat until it reaches a simmer, then lower the heat to medium-low or low to maintain a steady simmer for about 3 hours. Add more water to the pot if necessary to ensure that the can is submerged at all times. Let the can cool to room temperature in the water before removing. Open the can and scoop out the contents. The dulce de leche should be dark and caramelized.
• For the oven method: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place a shallow baking dish in a roasting pan. Pour the sweetened condensed milk into the baking dish and cover the dish with foil. Transfer the roasting pan to the oven and add enough hot water to reach halfway up the sides of the baking dish. Bake until the dulce de leche is dark and caramelized, 60 to 75 minutes, checking the water level occasionally and adding more if needed. Let cool, then whisk until smooth.
• Transfer the dulce de leche to an airtight container, put plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

DULCE DE LECHE BANANA CREAM PIE

Steps:

• For the crust:.
• Place the Maria crackers in the bowl of a food processor and process until coarsely ground.
• Add the peanuts and salt to the crumb mixture and process until finely ground.
• Add the melted butter and pulse until combined.
• Transfer the crust mixture into a 9 1/2-inch diameter glass pie dish, pressing and forming the crust evenly across the bottom and up the sides.
• Refrigerate for 10 to 20 minutes to solidify the butter.
• For the cream filling:
• Using a hand-held mixer, whip the cream cheese and butter at medium speed until fluffy with minimal lumps.
• Add the powdered sugar and cinnamon, whipping at low speed until just combined and being careful not to curdle the butter.
• Add the cream and whip to soft peaks.
• To assemble the pie:
• Spread the dulce de leche on top of the chilled crust.
• Top with the sliced bananas, forming 2 layers if necessary.
• Pour the whipped cream on top and spread evenly to completely cover the banana layer.
• Refrigerate and chill until set, about 2 hours.
• Top the pie with a 1-inch border of the remaining chopped peanuts.
• Warm the remaining dulce de leche in the microwave or on the stovetop until melted.
• Drizzle the dulce de leche on top of the pie and serve.