Cuban Bread Torrejas Recipes

CUBAN BREAD TORREJAS

Steps:

• For the cream cheese sauce:
• Combine the half-and-half, cream cheese, sour cream, condensed milk, vanilla extract and salt in a food processor and process until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the guava syrup:
• Combine the guava paste, cream soda and salt in a saucepan and heat gently, until the guava paste has melted into a syrup. (For an extra-smooth consistency, use a hand blender to puree any unmelted guava solids.) You will need 2 ounces of the guava syrup for the torrejas. Leftover syrup will keep in the refrigerator for at least 3 weeks.
• For the cookie sugar:
• Pulse the Maria cookies in a food processor until crumbled. Add the brown sugar and salt and pulse to combine.
• For the torrejas:
• Whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and salt in a medium mixing bowl (this can be done the night before), and pour the custard mixture into a pie pan.
• Soak the bread in the egg mixture for 30 seconds on each side, then remove to a rack set over a baking sheet to drain for a minute or two.
• Over medium-low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium nonstick skillet. Fry the torrejas, two slices at a time, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the skillet before starting the second batch of torrejas.
• To serve, place two torrejas on a plate. Drizzle generously with cream cheese sauce, then with guava syrup. Top with a sprinkling of Maria cookie sugar and some powdered sugar.

CUBAN TORREJAS WITH GUAVA-MAPLE SYRUP AND CREAM CHEESE WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• For the cream cheese whipped cream: Beat the cream cheese with the vanilla until smooth in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Add the whipping cream and whip to soft peaks. Set aside while you make the French toast.
• For the syrup: Combine the syrup and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, and remove from the heat. Let the syrup sit for 10 minutes to cool. Remove the cinnamon stick and return to the heat. Bring the syrup to a simmer again, and whisk in the guava. Serve warm.
• For the toast: Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Whisk together the milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and eggs in a shallow bowl until smooth. Place the bread slices in a shallow dish and pour the egg mixture on top. While the bread soaks, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter and 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large saute pan or nonstick griddle over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Fry the bread in batches until golden brown on the bottom. Lower the heat slightly, flip the bread and cook until the bottoms are golden brown and the bread is cooked through as well. Keep warm in the oven while you make the remaining bread with the remaining butter and oil.
• To serve, smear some cream cheese whipped cream on each piece of warm bread. Top with some of the guava maple syrup and a mint sprig.

TOREJAS(CUBAN-VERSION OF FRENCH TOAST)

Steps:

• Make sure the bread is stale, leave it out on a cookie sheet, to dry the day before.
• Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Lightly grease baking sheet; set aside.
• In medium-sized bowl; whisk ingredients to blend and then fold in almonds or other nuts, if using.
• Dip or soak each slice well in egg/milk mixture. Soak throughly, about 5 minutes. Shake off excess liquid and then lay on cookies sheet.
• Arrange the slices in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheet and bake for 10-14 minutes, until medium golden brown and crusty on the top.(But still moist and custard-like in the middle).
• Serve warm with powdered sugar, sugar syrup, fruit syrup or maple syrup(tastes awesome with pineapple preserves with chopped macadamia nuts instead of almonds. Also, banana liqueur with banana slices & nuts).
• Enjoy, as you watch the scale's numbers increase!

CHEF JOHN'S CUBAN BREAD

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup warm water, 1/2 teaspoon yeast, and 1/2 cup flour in a bowl or measuring cup. Whisk the starter until well blended. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Place 1 package active dry yeast and 2 teaspoons sugar in a mixing bowl. Pour in 3/4 cup warm water. Let rest 15 minutes to ensure yeast is alive (bubbles will form on surface). Add lard and salt to bowl; add 1 cup of the flour. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated and dough forms a sticky ball. Add the starter (reserving 1/4 cup if you want to keep the starter going, if desired. Otherwise add it all.). Sprinkle most of the rest of the flour on the dough, reserving 1/2 cup to be used if needed when kneading.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until dough comes together in a firm ball, adding additional flour only as needed. Dough should be soft and supple with just a bit of tackiness on the surface.
• Place dough in a bowl and coat surface with a little vegetable oil. Cover bowl with a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm spot to rise. Let rise until at least doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and sprinkle with a little cornmeal.
• Transfer dough onto lightly floured surface. Lightly press the dough into a rectangle with your lightly floured hands. Divide dough in half and press and shape each half into a long 1/2-inch thick rectangle about 12 inches long. Roll up tightly starting at the long end to form a skinny loaf. Flatten a bit. Transfer each loaf to a prepared baking sheet and dust with a bit of flour. Cover with a light, dry towel and let rise until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Cut a 1/4-inch deep slit down the top of the loaves with a sharp knife or razor. Mist loaves lightly with water.
• Place pans in pre-heated oven, one pan on lower rack, one on higher rack. After 10 minutes, switch pan positions. Continue to bake until loaves are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Transfer loaves to cooling rack and let cool to room temperature before slicing.