Pastel del Tres Leches
Carmen in Paris wants to recreate a recent dining experience that was topped with a delicious dessert that she recalled as Mexican Wedding Cakes. The likely dessert, Carmen, was in fact Pastel de Tres Leches, a very popular cake translates literally as cake of three milks. The cake is a butter cake prepared with fresh, condensed, and evaporated milk. Many Latin American countries have different versions, with a key creative point being the topping.

Often, Pastel de Tres Leches is topped with a caramel sauce and fresh fruit, other times with meringue, or even whipped cream. The addition of fruit in all cases is a great one for this cake and lends an air of ’special occassion.’ I’ve reviewed a number of recipes found online and am particularly fond of this recipe - looks like a winner and I now plan to test it at the restaurant next week. Thanks for the inspiration! Taste of Cuba, Tres Leches.

The desserts properly know as Mexican Wedding Cakes, go by a variety of names including Russian Tea Cookies. They are essentially a shortbread cookie ball rolled in powdered sugar, and are common at holiday parties, cocktail parties and wedding receptions. Here is one of our chefs’ recipes .

Carmen was also looking for some dish ideas. For a hearty, quick dishes try out our Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese or Shrimp and Chard Pasta.

There must be more variations on chicken than any other food in the world, but still, nothing beats frying it with style. If you mise en place before you begin cooking, making fried chicken can be very easy and clean. That is, get everything you need set up and in order ahead of time so that when the time comes to begin cooking, your cooking process flows smoothly and quickly.

Two more tips:
Sign of a pro - clean as you go.
Have fun cooking!

~ Chef Adam