Ponche Creme Food

TRINIDAD'S PONCHE-DE-CREME (PUNCH WITH CREAM)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat eggs and lime zest using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually pour in the condensed milk while continuing to mix, and then pour in the evaporated milk.
• Stir in the rum and bitters, and sprinkle with nutmeg. Transfer to a bottle and chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve over crushed ice.

PONCHE CREME

Steps:

• Whisk the eggs and lime zest in a large bowl until well combined and smooth, about 30 seconds. Add the condensed milk and half of the rum and whisk until combined. Whisk in the remaining rum, the nutmeg and bitters until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and transfer to a jug. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or up to 3 days-it gets better with time.
• Stir the mixture well before serving. Pour into ice-filled glasses and sprinkle with grated nutmeg.

PONCHE CREMA

Steps:

• In a non-stick saucepan, heat the whole and evaporated milks over a low heat.
• Using an electric mixer, in a mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks until they turn white. Add the beaten yolks to the milk, and add the lemon zest.
• Add the vanilla extract and nutmeg, to taste.
• Stir constantly with a wooden spoon on low heat to prevent the egg yolks from coagulating, until the mixture thickens.
• Let cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, then strain.
• Add the sweetened condensed milk, rum, Angostura bitters and mix well using an immersion blender.
• Taste and check the taste, and add more rum if necessary.
• Serve the drink topped with a cinnamon stick and / or sprinkled with ground cinnamon.

PONCHE

Steps:

• Combine 2 quarts water and the tejocotes in a large stockpot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the tejocotes start to soften, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the tejocotes to a medium bowl and let cool. Reserve the cooking liquid. When the tejocotes are cool to the touch, remove and discard the skins, stems and pits and tear the fruit in half with your hands. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, add the hibiscus flowers to the reserved cooking liquid and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the flowers and discard or save for another use, such as a second infusion for a jamaica agua fresca.
• Add the tejocotes, piloncillo, prunes, raisins, tamarind, guavas, sugarcane, apples, dates, cinnamon and vanilla, if using, to the pot. Lower the heat and gently simmer until the fruit is softened and the mixture is reduced slightly, about 30 minutes.
• Pour the hot ponche into mugs, scoop some fruit into each and garnish with a cinnamon stick and chopped pecans. Serve with spoons.

PONCHE A CRèME

Steps:

• Ready a large bowl or wide-mouth pitcher and fine mesh sieve.
• In an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the eggs and lime zest on medium-high speed until very frothy, about 3 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low, add the evaporated and condensed milk, and mix for 2 minutes. Slowly stream in the rum, then mix for another 2 minutes. Add the nutmeg and angostura bitters and stir for 1 minute. Turn off the mixer, and strain the ponche a crema through the sieve into the pitcher or bowl.
• Serve immediately on the rocks with a dusting of nutmeg.

PONCHE DE CRèME BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and lightly grease a 20 x 30cm baking dish with a little of the butter.
• First, make the ponche de crème. In a large bowl, using an electric hand whisk, beat the eggs and lime zest for 1-2 mins until light and frothy. Gradually beat in the evaporated milk and rum, then add the vanilla, nutmeg and bitters, and mix well. Stir in the condensed milk and set aside.
• Butter the brioche slices on one side and cut each in half diagonally. Layer half the slices across the base of the baking dish, butter-side down. Pour over half the ponche de crème. Scatter over the coconut flakes, raisins and half the nutmeg, and leave for 15 mins.
• Sprinkle over the pecans and layer the remaining slices of brioche, butter-side up, on top. Pour over the remaining ponche de crème, ensuring it soaks all the bread. Sprinkle over the remaining nutmeg and the demerara sugar.
• Put the baking dish into a roasting tin and pour boiling water into the tin to come halfway up the outside of the baking dish. Carefully put the tin in the oven and bake for 40-45 mins until the custard is set and the pudding is golden brown. Scatter over pecans and coconut flakes and serve with ice cream or cream.