Showing posts with label Cinnamon. Show all posts
Arroz con Leche is the ultimate in Mexican comfort food. Creamy and delicious with a hint of cinnamon, this Mexican rice pudding is a warm and comforting hug in a mug.



How to Make Mexican Arroz con Leche - lacocinadeleslie.com

Classic Mexican Arroz con Leche 

Arroz con Leche is another of those traditional Mexican dishes that takes me back to my childhood. I don't think there was a week that Pappy didn't whip up a huge olla (pot) of Arroz con Leche. Pappy was of the belief that Arroz con Leche was the caldo de pollo (chicken soup) of desserts, in that it could cure just about anything. And he was always looking for an excuse to make this creamy deliciousness: birthdays, rainy days, holidays, Tuesdays, sick days, and any day ending in the letters "s" or "o". (The days of the week in Spanish end in either "s" or "o": lunes, martes, miércoles, jueves, viernes, sábado y domingo.)

How to Make Traditional Mexican Arroz con Leche 

Every family has their own unique recipe for Arroz con Leche. Today I'm sharing the classic version, made with just rice, water, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and raisins, if you like them. There are other versions of Arroz con Leche that also include sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk, which I'll be sharing soon, but today it's all about the traditional arroz con leche like our abuelitos (grandparents) and favorite tías (aunts) used to make. 


Traditional Mexican Arroz con Leche recipe - lacocinadeleslie.com


Yield: 8 servings

Arroz con Leche

Arroz con Leche is the ultimate in Mexican comfort food. Creamy and delicious, this Mexican rice pudding is a warm and comforting hug in a mug.+-w
prep time: 5 MINScook time: 60 MINStotal time: 65 mins

ingredients:


  • 1 cup long-grain rice 
  • 4 cups water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt 
  • 1 (3-inch cinnamon stick) 
  • 4 cups whole milk 
  • 1/2 to 1 cup granulated sugar 
  • 1 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional) 
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch (optional) 
  • 3 tablespoons whole milk (optional) 

instructions


  1. Bring rice, water, salt, and cinnamon to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Cover and reduce heat to low; let simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until the rice is cooked through and almost all of the water has evaporated. (That starchy water that remains after the rice is cooked through is what is going to help make our arroz con leche extra creamy.) 
  2. Stir in the 4 cups of milk. Cover, leaving lid slightly ajar; let simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes or until milk comes to a boil.
  3. Sweeten with granulated sugar to taste. If adding raisins or dried cranberries, stir them in with the granulated sugar. Cover, leaving lid slightly ajar (to preven milk from spilling over); let simmer for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until rice mixture is thick and creamy. 
  4. Remove from heat. Let cool slightly. Serve warm or let cool completely and refrigerate until ready to serve. Spoon rice pudding into bowl or coffee mugs. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Buen provecho! 
Tips:
  1. To help thicken your arroz con leche, mash the rice lightly with a potato masher.
  2. If your arroz con leche is still not creamy enough for your taste, dissolve the cornstarch in the cold milk. Stir into the rice pudding, and let simmer until desired thickness. 
Created using The Recipes Generator
















Comfort Food Classics: Arroz con Leche (Mexican Rice Pudding)

Café de Olla is a delicious and fragrant Mexican coffee brewed with aromatic spices like cinnamon, clove, and star anise.


Mexican Café de Olla - lacocinadeleslie.com

I'm baaaaccckkk! And... I'm not alone. My friend Heather (from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen) and I are teaming up once again to bring back She Made/Ella Hace. To kick things off, we are celebrating Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). Whether you're looking for something sweet and delicious to serve for your Day of the Dead celebration, or if you're looking for traditional food ofrendas (offerings) for your altar de muertos (altar), we've got you covered. Heather is making Camotes Enmielados (Mexican Candied Sweet Potatoes), while I am serving steaming mugs of classic Café de Olla (Mexican coffee).

She Made/Ella Hace: Café de Olla

Brunsviger is a classic Danish coffee cake with a buttery sweet brown sugar and cinnamon glaze.


Brunsviger (Danish Coffee Cake) - lacocinadeleslie.com

One of my favorite things about The Secret Recipe Club. is discovering new-to-me cuisines and/or recipes that I might not have ever thought to make. My assignment this month is Sid's Sea Palm Cooking. Sid loves preparing good food and sharing it with friends, so much so that she hosts a monthly Tapas Night in her home and later shares photos and recipes on her blog. Sid's blog is full of delicious and easy-to-follow recipes, but what really drew me in were her authentic Danish recipes. My mouth was watering just reading through the recipes. Asier (Danish pickles), Skidne æg (hard-boiled eggs in mustard sauce), Lagekage (Danish layer cake), and Melboller (flour dumplings) which Sid says are perfect for soup. are all on my list of Sid's Danish recipes to try. I ended up choosing Brunsviger because the words Danish Coffee Cake just spoke to me.

Secret Recipe Club: Brunsviger (Danish Coffee Cake)

Mexican chocolate, cinnamon and rice combine together in a rich, decadent twist on a classic agua fresca.



Satisfy your sweet tooth and keep cool this summer with an ice cold glass of Mexican Chocolate Horchata. Mexican chocolate isn't just for atoles, Champurrado, and mole sauces. It can be used in cookies, custards, as well as countless other desserts, and even in refreshing aguas frescas. Two of my favorites being Agua de Chocolate (made without milk) and this Horchata de Chocolate, which tastes like cinnamon chocolate milk in a fun agua fresca that is way more refreshing.

Mexican Chocolate Horchata

Pay de Elote is a delicious baked Mexican pie with a creamy sweet corn custard flavored with cinnamon.



Longtime readers of my cocina blog might remember that this blog's tagline used to be "Celebrating food, family, and life in Mexico." Well, the tagline might have disappeared, but my belief that there is always something to celebrate still holds true. And today is no exception because La Cocina de Leslie is celebrating it's 7th blog birthday/anniversary!

Pay de Elote (Sweet Corn Pie)

Delicious and aromatic homemade guava jam with a hint of cinnamon.


Homemade Guava Jam - lacocinadeleslie.com

Spring has finally sprung in our small town and I am craving all things bright and cheery like fresh strawberries, mangoes, and guavas. Especially guavas! Now that the weather is starting to heat up, big breakfasts aren't that appealing to me. (For now.) Just give me a bowl of oatmeal and a couple slices of toast with Homemade Guava Jam and I'm a happy camper. (Along with a big cup of coffee or Café con Leche.)

Mermelada de Guayaba (Guava Jam)

Bite-size pieces of apples and oranges in a cinnamon infused sangria made with red wine, whiskey, and orange liqueur.


Red Wine Sangria - lacocinadeleslie.com


Because I hope we'll all have plenty of reasons to celebrate throughout the year the first recipe I'm sharing in 2016 is my favorite Red Wine Sangria. This fruity sangria has a little bit of everything like fresh apples and oranges, cinnamon, apple juice, orange juice, a splash of lime juice, red wine (of course!), whiskey, and orange liqueur. It packs quite a punch, especially if you forget to add the club soda. (I may or may not be speaking from experience.) For this particular sangria I used whiskey, but you can also use tequila, rum, brandy or vodka. All of which make for a delicious sangria. This is my go-to cocktail to make for family get-togethers because it's super easy to make and it's a definite crowd pleaser.

Red Wine Sangria

Atole de Chocolate is a thicker and creamier cinnamon-infused version of traditional hot cocoa made with Mexican chocolate.


Mexican Hot Chocolate Atole - lacocinadeleslie.com

After a cold and rainy weekend here in Mexico, the sun is shining in the bright blue sky. But I think the sun might be broken, because the temperatures this morning dipped to a bone-chilling 2 degrees Celsius (about 35°F). That's freezing cold weather for these here parts, and the layer of ice on our truck's windshield before taking the younger kiddies to school is a not-so-gentle reminder that winter will soon be here. Because there's nothing like a hot mug of atole to warm you up on a cold winter's day, this week in my cocina we will be celebrating #AtoleWeek. Tune in every day this week (Monday-Friday) for some of my favorite atole recipes.

Atole de Chocolate (Mexican Hot Chocolate Atole) #AtoleWeek

Cinnamon and dried hibiscus flowers add a merry and bright twist to the classic hot toddy for a delicious holiday treat.



A very merry December to all! With the holiday season in full swing, I only had one thing in mind while choosing a recipe for The Secret Recipe Club... Something festive for the holidays! My assignment this month is A Fit and Spicy Life written by Mellissa whose tagline perfectly sums up her blog, "A lot of cooking, a little wine, and workouts to keep it all inline." Full of health-conscious recipes like Ramen Noodle Salad, Ginger Carrot Soup, and her Spinach, Mushroom & Onion Mini-Frittatas, you'll also find fitness tips and wine recommendations on her weekly Wine Wednesday series.

Secret Recipe Club: Cinnamon Hibiscus Hot Toddy

All the flavors of a caramel apple in a comforting mug of hot apple cider flavored with cinnamon, cloves, and Mexican cajeta.



Cajeta Apple Cider - lacocinadeleslie.com

´Tis the season to be jolly! To help you get in the holiday spirit I've got this warm Cajeta Apple Cider made with creamy cajeta, a delicious Mexican caramel sauce made with goat’s milk. It smells like Christmas! Whether you're decorating the tree, watching your favorite Christmas movies, or just curling up under your favorite fuzzy blanket because the weather outside is frightful, a sip of this Cajeta Apple Cider will warm you right up.  

Cajeta Apple Cider

Wake up your taste buds with this refreshing Iced Coffee Agua Fresca!

Coffee Agua Fresca - lacocinadeleslie.com

After updating my Chile de Huevo recipe back in June for #ThrowbackThursday, I thought it would be fun to make it a monthly series to show a little love to some of my older blog posts. This month we're showing love to my Iced Coffee Agua Fresca.

I've been a coffee drinker for as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl I liked waking up extra early with my grandparents because that meant one of them would make me a cup of Cafe con Leche to drink while they enjoyed their first cup of coffee of the day. Once I got a little older Gramm would make a simple Iced Coffee with instant coffee granules, water, milk, and sugar. Whenever she did, it was always a special treat that I absolutely loved.

Iced Coffee Agua Fresca (Agua de Café) #ThrowbackThursday

Another month is upon us, which means it's time for another installment of The Secret Recipe Club. For those of you unfamiliar with the SRC, it's a fun virtual recipe swap with another blogger who has no idea who will be cooking something from their blog. 

My assignment this month was Baking & Creating with Avril, a bright and delightful blog full of baked goodies and family friendly savory recipes. As usual, I didn't have anything specific that I was looking to make, but with the word "baking" in the blog title I was definitely leaning towards something sweet. With so many mouth-watering recipes to choose from Avril's blog did not disappoint. Recipe like Nutella Drop Cookies, Pumpkin Black Bean Soup, and Zucchini Cornbread all caught my eye, but in the end I decided to go with Avril's Honey Bun Cake.

Secret Recipe Club: Honey Bun Cake

One of my favorite things about fall and the crisp cooler weather that comes with it is the wide variety of hot beverages available to help keep you warm like coffee, ponche, and atole. (Just to name a few.) My heart will always belong to coffee. (I'm drinking a cup as I write.) And ponche will always be a holiday favorite. But atolein all it's creaminess, is the epitome of comfort in a cup during the cold fall and winter months. I love atole SO much that I thought it would be fun to devote this entire week (which I'm calling #AtoleWeek) in my Cocina to sharing some of my favorite atole recipes.

Atole de Avena / Mexican Oatmeal - lacocinadeleslie.com


Comfort Food Classics: Atole de Avena (Oatmeal Atole) #AtoleWeek

Who am I trying to kid? Once I get something stuck in my head, there's just no convincing me otherwise. For the last couple of weeks I have tried not to think about the upcoming fall season. I have really tried to enjoy the last precious few weeks of summer, and not think about fall, but I'm fighting a losing battle. I am ready for fall. To me the beginning of September and Labor Day weekend will always be the unofficial beginning of  the fall season. That's how it was for the first 26 years of my life that I lived in the US, and it's still the same way now that I'm about to turn 40 and have been living in Mexico for almost 14 years. I want apples, pumpkins (I bought my first pumpkin of the season on Friday), rich spices, cooler days and warm bevvies. So, when trying to decide which recipe to make this month for The Secret Recipe ClubI was looking for something fall inspired.

My blog assignment this month was Food Ramblings, written by Elizabeth, who loves to cook, travel, and eat. (A woman after my own heart!) Elizabeth's blog has plenty of fall inspired recipes to choose from like Apple Cinnamon Pancakes, Pumpkin Apple Muffins, and Pumpkin Butter Swirled Blondies (swoon!). Ultimately I ended up choosing to make her Oatmeal Craisin Cookies, because I thought not only would they taste like fall, but they'd also make for a great lunchbox treat for my kiddies. And because Jack, my youngest, absolutely LOVES dried cranberries.

I was not disappointed. I've always loved the combination of oats and cinnamon, and the ruby red dried cranberries added a slight tartness that made these Oatmeal Cranberry Bars hard to resist. My kiddies requested these in their lunch boxes every day last week. And on Saturday, my girls and I whipped up another batch for the coming week, but they disappeared before the end of the day. And I'm pretty sure that

Oatmeal Cranberry Bars - lacocinadeleslie.com


Secret Recipe Club: Oatmeal Cranberry Bars

lacocinadeleslie.com

I have been debating whether or not to share this recipe for a couple of years now.  I still wasn't sure this year, but my Hubby & kiddies insisted since it's a holiday family favorite that I make at least a half a dozen times every year between September and January.  This is the first pumpkin dessert my kiddies requested I make when I bought my first pumpkin this season.

This Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake is my "go to" holiday cake because on one hand it tastes like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all rolled into one.  And on the other hand it's super easy to make since I use a box of yellow cake mix as a base. (Gasp!)  I know...a box mix!  How dare I call myself a food blogger?!  But I'm a busy mom of 4, I don't always have the time (or energy) to bake a cake completely from scratch.  And that is why I love this cake.  Because even though it's a box mix that only takes a couple of minutes to whip up, it tastes like I spent hours in the kitchen.  And it's my Hubby's and kiddies' favorite.  It wouldn't be fall or winter in the Limón household without this Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake.

lacocinadeleslie.com

Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake w/ Cinnamon Cream Cheese Whipped Cream


Ingredients: 
  • 1 box yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1-1/2 cups homemade pumpkin puree (or canned)
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

Frosting:
  • 1 cup whipping cream, very cold
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 oz. cream cheese, softened

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.  Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cake mix, the ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground ginger.  Add the pumpkin puree, eggs, 1 cup of milk, and vegetable oil.  Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, just until combined.  Then increase speed to medium-high and beat for 3 minutes.

Pour cake batter into the prepared baking dish.  Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Carefully remove cake from oven and set baking dish on a heat-proof surface.

Combine the sweetened condensed milk with the evaporated milk. Using a fork or a toothpick poke holes all over the cake.  Ladle milk mixture over the warm cake.  Let cake cool to room temperature.

Prepare frosting by mixing together the whipping cream, cinnamon, and powdered sugar.  Beat with an electric mixer on high until light and billowy.  Add in the softened cream cheese and continue to beat for 1 minute.  Spread frosting over cake.  Refrigerate cake for at least 3 hours or overnight.  Sprinkle top of cake with a little ground cinnamon before serving.  Enjoy!!! 

Receta en español


lacocinadeleslie.com


lacocinadeleslie.com


This post is part of the 12 Weeks of Winter Squash Link-Up hosted by girlichef and Joanne of Eats Well with Others.


Photobucket








Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake w/ Cinnamon Cream Cheese Whipped Cream






When I think of Christmas, visions of Santa Claus, Christmas trees, my grandmother's tamales, and Ponche de Manzana all dance in my head.  There used to be a time, back when we lived in the States, when those visions also included eggnog.   Eggnog was one of the rare American treats that my Mexican grandparents loved.  It was one of the things I looked forward to most each year during the holidays.  One of our family's holiday traditions was to sip on eggnog, while we decorated our tree, listening to my grandmother's Christmas album collection on the jolly old record player.  (Yes, I'm THAT old!)

The last time I had eggnog was the Christmas before we moved to Mexico...13 years ago!

I crave eggnog every year when we put our Christmas tree up, even though now I make a big pot of champurrado for all of us to enjoy!  My kiddies had never even heard of eggnog, so they had no idea what they were missing.  But thanks to my good friend Girlichef, who suggested we make Rompope/Eggnog this month for She Made/Ella Hace they finally got their chance to try it!   

I don't know why it never occurred to me before to make my own eggnog.  It's actually quite simple.  My plan was to find a recipe online to try,  but after describing eggnog to the kiddies as a thick and creamy atole chock full of spices that is served cold, I decided to make just that...a cold eggnog atole (of sorts) made with milk and a packet of vanilla flavored Maizena (cornstarch), plus a couple of eggs, a few spices, and lots of fluffy whipped cream.   

The results far exceeded my expectations!  This eggnog was better than the store-bought kind I remembered.  It was creamy and frothy and full of flavor from the nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves.   This recipe is definitely a keeper!


Homemade Eggnog


Custard base: 
  • 5 cups milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 packet vanilla flavored Maizena (cornstarch)  
  • 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves  
Additional ingredients: 
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup of rum or brandy (optional) 

Directions:
In a large saucepan, whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla flavored Maizena, the ground nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves until well combined.


Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the custard begins to boil and has thickened.  Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.


Just look at all those gorgeous specks of spices!


Combine the whipping cream and powdered sugar in a large bowl.  Using an electric mixer on high speed, whip the whipping cream until thick and fluffy.


Gently fold the whipped cream into the eggnog custard.  Stir in the rum.  (If serving to kids, omit the alcohol!)


Chill the eggnog in the refrigerator until ready to serve.  Enjoy!!!


Be sure to visit Girlichef's blog to check out her Rompope (Mexican Eggnog)!



Photobucket


Homemade Eggnog w/ Maizena {She Made/Ella Hace}



The other day, I found myself craving something warm and cinnamon-y.  It wasn't a craving for a specific dessert.  All I knew was that I wanted something that tasted like fall.  I'm not sure if everyone is aware of this little known fact, but fall tastes like cinnamon.  It also tastes like apples and pumpkins and brown sugar.  It was then that I realized that I hadn't even had a chance to cook with this month's ingredient for the Food of the Month Club...Apples.  (Sigh!)  Apples would fit in very nicely with what I was craving.  I just needed to decide what to make.

Just then, my youngest son Jack, ran inside to get a sweater.  You know it's chilly outside if a 7 year old little boy takes time out from riding his bike to get a sweater.  As Jack ran back outside, I knew exactly what to make...Apple-Cinnamon Arroz con Leche!  Arroz con Leche is Jack's favorite dessert.  It was just what the kiddies would need to help warm them up, once they were done playing outside.  And with the addition of apples and extra cinnamon, it was sure to satisfy my craving.

Let me tell you... The Apple-Cinnamon Arroz con Leche did not disappoint!  It was warm and creamy and cinnamon-y all at the same time.  And with the soft little pieces of tart Granny Smith apples...  (Sigh!)  It tasted just like fall!

What are you craving this fall?

Apple Cinnamon Arroz con Leche - lacocinadeleslie.com

Apple-Cinnamon Arroz con Leche
(Rice Pudding)

Ingredients:
  • 3 to 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
  • 1 cup long or short-grain rice (I used long-grain) 
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 3-inch cinnamon stick 
  • 3-1/2 cups water
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
  • 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Directions: 
In medium 2 to 3-quart saucepan, bring rice, chopped apple, cinnamon stick, salt and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover saucepan and reduce heat to low. Let simmer until all of the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is fluffy, about 15 minutes.


Gently stir in the milk, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and ground cinnamon. Cover saucepan and let simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking or flowing over,  for about 20 minutes or until the Arroz con Leche is nice and creamy. Let cool slightly.  Serve warm.  Enjoy!!! 

lacocinadeleslie.com

*You can also let the Arroz con Leche cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight, to serve the rice pudding cold.  I LOVE cold Arroz con Leche for breakfast!  

Photobucket


Sharing this recipe with FOTMC (Food of the Month Club)

Apple-Cinnamon Arroz con Leche

Tap. Tap. Tap.  Is anyone there?

I apologize for my extended absence.  Life got very busy with Thanksgiving, visiting in-laws, getting the house ready for the holidays and festivities, my in-laws 45th anniversary and of course, Christmas and New Years.

But it's a new year and I'm back to share more of my favorite recipes with you.

As promised, today is Cinnamon Twosday.  I love Cinnamon!  It's so festive and rich.  Perfect for the holidays and cold winter afternoons. 


Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Cinnamon Sugar


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F.  In a medium bowl, combine the butter, flour, sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla and salt until the mixture forms a ball of dough.



Place dough on lightly floured surface.



Extend dough until 1/4-inch thick.



Dip a 2-inch round cookie cutter in flour, then cut out circles of dough.



Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet for 6 to 8 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges.



While the cookies are baking, prepare the Cinnamon Sugar by combining 1 cup of sugar with 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon.



When the cookies are done baking, gently remove them from the cookie sheet.  Dip the cookies in the Cinnamon Sugar while still warm, making sure both sides are well coated.




Enjoy!!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


If you're going to bake cookies, you might as well make some tea!

Te de Canela (Cinnamon tea) is my favorite.  It's comforting, soothing and when you sit down to enjoy a cup, all of your worries and cares just slip away.

Te de Canela is also one of the easiest teas to prepare.  If you have a few cinnamon sticks in the pantry, then you are minutes away from enjoying this heavenly cup of tea.

Te de Canela (Cinnamon Tea)

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups water
  • 2 - 3 cinnamon sticks


Directions:
In a medium saucepan, heat the water and cinnamon sticks over medium-low heat, until the water turns a golden amber color.



Remove the cinnamon sticks.  Pour into cups.  Sweeten with sugar (if desired). Serve with Cinnamon ShortbreadEnjoy!!!



Photobucket
(P.S.)  I apologize for the blurry pics.  I'm a little out of practice! :)

Cinnamon Tea & Shortbread Cookies

Flour Tortilla Cinnamon Buñuelos - lacocinadeleslie.com

Today was one of those days.  It was cold, windy and overcast in central Mexico.  And my mood seemed just as gray as the sky. And even the kiddies were feeling it too. I've had days like this before, many, many years ago.  Back then my gloomy days were always brightened by a good helping of Pappy's comfort food.

Feeling a little nostalgic, I stepped into the kitchen to see what I could conjure up.  I looked inside my fridge and pantry for inspiration, but nothing came to mind. So I asked myself, "What would Pappy do?" A few seconds later I noticed a package of flour tortillas sitting in the back corner of my fridge, then all of a sudden I knew exactly what I wanted to make...Buñuelos! 

Buñuelos are crispy, flaky, golden fried tortillas covered with cinnamon and sugar. My grandparents usually only made them around Christmastime to share with friends and neighbors. I remember how their tiny kitchen seemed to overflow with stacks and stack of Buñuelos.

There are two ways you can make Buñuelos.  The tradtional way is to make the dough from scratch, like my grandmother always did.  OR...you can make them the easy way like Pappy did, using store-bought flour tortillas.

Until today I don't think I've ever made this kind of Buñuelo for my kiddies. Usually when we're craving Buñuelos my suegra will make them from scratch or we'll walk down to the market to pick some up.

These easy cinnamon Buñuelos were just what we needed to brighten our day. My kiddies watched in amazement as I fried tortilla after tortilla.  They weren't too convinced that you could make good Buñuelos from flour tortillas, but after one bite they were convinced. To quote my kiddies, "Están buenísimas!" (They're really, really good!)

Easy Cinnamon Buñuelos - lacocinadeleslie.com

Flour Tortilla Buñuelos
lacocinadeleslie.com

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 12 flour tortillas
  • 1-1/2 cups vegetable oil

Directions:
In a medium bowl, combine the sugar and the cinnamon.  Set aside. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet, over medium-high heat. Carefully, place a tortilla in the hot oil.  Fry the tortilla until light golden brown on both sides. Transfer fried tortilla to a plate lined with paper towels.  Let it sit for a minute to absorb the excess oil. Place the tortilla in the bowl with the cinnamon and sugar.  Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the tortilla, making sure that both sides are evenly coated.  Repeat with remaining tortillas. Enjoy!


Flour Tortilla Buñuelos - lacocinadeleslie.com


---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cafe con Leche

Nothing warms me up on a cold winter's day like a cup of Cafe con Leche (coffee with milk). It's a childhood favorite that will always be near and dear to my heart. My grandpa used to make it for me almost every morning from the time I was 10 years old until the day I got married. And now I make it for my kiddies.  

Cafe con Leche - lacocinadeleslie.com

Cafe con Leche
lacocinadeleslie.com

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 (4 inch) cinnamon stick
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules (Regular or Decaf)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • Ground nutmeg (optional)

Directions:
Heat the milk and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan until very warm, stirring constantly with a wire whisk or molinillo until frothy. Spoon desired amount of instant coffee granules and sugar into a coffee cup.  (I only use 1 teaspoon of coffee because it's for the kiddies. Feel free to make yours a little stronger.) Pour the warm, frothy milk into the coffee cup. Stir slightly to dissolve the instant coffee granules and sugar. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a pinch of ground nutmeg. Enjoy!

Cafe con Leche - lacocinadeleslie.com










Easy Cinnamon Buñuelos & Cafe con Leche