Dulce de leche

I have been remiss. I live only half an hour from Mexico, but I have not been taking full advantage of the cuisine of our southern neighbors. Aside from a dessert topping, and an occasional fajita.

So how will I resolve that?  How about a dessert topping?  This classic dessert topping, known as cajeta in parts of Mexico, dulce de leche more commonly, is caramelized, milkish goodness incarnate.  I used the recipe in My Sweet Mexico.  It makes approximately one cup of dulce de leche:

4 cups goat or cow milk
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp light corn syrup
¼ tsp salt
1 vanilla bean
¼ tsp baking soda, dissolved in 1 tbsp water

Slice the vanilla bean open from end to end.



Scoop out the vanilla guts into a pot. Toss in that wretched vanilla bean carcass on top of the vanilla guts. Pour the milk, sugar, salt and corn syrup in.



Bring to a boil, and remove from heat. Add the baking soda dissolved baking soda, and watch it bubble and boil furiously. The baking soda will aid in the caramelization of the sugar. When the boiling subsides, put back on the heat. Simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, being careful to not burn the milk.

Simmer.



And stir.



Simmer.



And stir.



Simmer.



And stir.



Simmer.



And finally, after 2 to 2 ½ hours of simmering and stirring. When the mixture has reduced to a golden brown mixture. It will thicken on chilling.



Keeps in the fridge for a couple of weeks. This delightful dessert topping works well as an ingredient in other desserts, or on top of cakes, muffins or ice cream. Enjoy. Delish.