San Geraldo arrived home a few minutes after I did. "I bought us a treat!" he said.
I saw bakery wrapping and thought, "Oh, crap. So much for my walk."
But then he unwrapped the paper. And I thought, "SO glad I took that walk."
 |
| TORRIJAS!!! AN EASTER TRADITION. |
The first time I had torrijas was during Semana Santa 2012 (Holy Week) in Sevilla. I bought them in a local bakery. They were good, but nothing to write home about — so I didn't, and quickly forgot about them.
Last year, Elena made us some that were, as San Geraldo said, "to die for." (Click here for Elena's torrijas and a glimpse of the Easter Moose.)
This year's bakery torrijas, smothered in honey, were sweet and delicious but nothing like Elena's. And we still have Elena's to look forward to (hint, hint).
Recipes
If you're interested in making torrijas, just search "torrijas recipes" or "recetas torrijas" and you'll find plenty of versions (and opinions). Last year, I explained:
Elena's version consists of a thick slice of bread soaked in warm milk for an hour, and then dipped in egg batter and fried with olive oil before being sprinkled with cinnamon. The bread gets crusty on the outside and custard-like on the inside. Elena's torrijas are out of this world.
In my opinion, if you only dip the bread in the batter, as some recipes suggest, instead of soaking it for an hour or more, the result is pretty much like American "French Toast." The extended soaking changes the consistency of the bread to custard. So much better (again, in my opinion).The bread is often soaked overnight and wine can be used instead of milk. Traditional recipes call for the addition of honey, which The Goddess Elena doesn't like. But we're not complaining. (She doesn't like raisins either, and calls them flies.)
Indulge in the good things, then walk some more.
ReplyDeleteTravel:
DeleteCurrently munching two tiny fresh baked shortbread biscuits. To the castle today... and the zoo.
I'll pass on the french toast and have the lemon meringue pie instead!
ReplyDeleteanne marie:
DeleteSave it for Jerry's lemon meringue pie -- the best in the world (at least in MY world).
Yum yum yum!
ReplyDeleteFrench Toast is one of my favorite things and this looks even better than that!
Jennifer:
DeleteElena's version is so completely different from French toast and impossible to resist. The torrijas pictured were delicious but, given how sweet they were, those two little pieces were my limit.
Oh my goodness, you do torture us all! It would be a toss up between the lemon meringue pie and the torrijas.
ReplyDeleteHell, I guess I would have both too.
Enjoy your day, sounds like fun!
Cat Lover:
DeleteElena's torrijas! She's traveling right now, but I expect her to get to work when she gets home.
You might have to start walking WHILE you're eating the goodies! Two birds and all ....
ReplyDeleteBob:
DeleteHow do you spell reflux? "WALKING WHILE EATING TORRIJAS"
Yum!
ReplyDeleteDebra:
DeleteI love Semana Santa!
*cries* Okay, DEFINITELY much better to look at than yesterday's horrors, but your beloved blog readers are not there to eat these yummies with you! *cries some more* For such a sweet man, you be pretty cruel at times.
ReplyDeleteRozzie:
DeleteThere are plenty of torrijas to go round. I'm willing to share.
God knows you try, Mitch, to stay in shape! these are interesting for sure!
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeleteSomehow I manage, too. Jerry bought a big box of ginger snaps and told me they're good for digestion. My digestion must be spectacular at this point.
I've never even heard of this until now, but I'm salivating like a brain-damaged dog. I think I need a walk just from looking at this.
ReplyDeleteBeer for the Shower:
DeleteIf you cook, you should try it. As Jerry said, "It's healthy. Eggs, milk, honey..."
hmmmm..... there may be a new Holy Week tradition in our house.
ReplyDeleteWillym:
DeleteWorth being holy, I think!
I'd need to walk a hundred miles a day to burn off calories if I dined with you.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteBut it would be so worth it, don't you think?
Oh, yum.
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteI want more!
OMG those look so good! Bringing back fond memories of amazing Spanish food!
ReplyDeleteKnatolee:
DeleteJerry brought home more today! This time, with powdered sugar instead of honey. I'm not heading out for a 10-mile walk!!!