Typically, when one thinks of Mexican cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is the famous tacos. However, Mexican churros recipes are also part of this country’s culinary tradition.
Perhaps some people don’t know it, but they are exquisite and easy to prepare. They are available for sale at street food stalls, shopping malls, bakeries, and other grocery stores.
What are churros?
They are a dough similar to that of a donut fried in hot oil.
When golden, they are removed from the pan and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
They are crispy on the outside, moist on the inside, and delicious.
History of Mexican Churros
Mexican churros recipes are a version of the fried sweets eaten in Europe, specifically in Spain and Portugal.
These two countries were the first to design the dough in a star shape. However, they copied the custom of frying this dessert from China.
It is said that Portuguese sailors introduced the list of ingredients through the Iberian Peninsula, which is how Spanish and Portuguese colonies adopted it. Other theories suggest that Spanish shepherds invented churros, made of flour, salt, and water, to replace bread.
Later, their popularity spread to other Latin American nations, including Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, and the United States, but with some modifications in their preparation.
The Chinese doughs were savory, but Europeans replaced the salt with sugar. In the country of mariachis, cinnamon is added to give it a special touch.
How to Make Authentic Mexican Churros
There are several recipes for Mexican churros. The authentic one includes butter, salt, wheat flour, water, vanilla extract, sugar, and cinnamon.
The dough is made by first melting the butter in a pot. Then, water, salt, vanilla, and a cinnamon stick are added. It is boiled until it reaches the boiling point.
Once removed from the heat, the cinnamon stick is removed, and the flour is added to the wrapping motion.
When the dough forms, it is left to cool and the egg is added, stirring vigorously to make it smooth. Then, it is placed in a pastry bag.
The next step is to fry strips of about 6 inches in hot oil, drain them, and coat them with powdered cinnamon and sugar.
How to Make Chocolate or Dulce de Leche Stuffed Churros
Several versions of Mexican churros recipes, including those with chocolate or dulce de leche fillings. This is one of the most enjoyable for dessert lovers.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of wheat flour
- 1 ¼ cups of water
- A pinch of salt
- Vegetable oil
- Sugar
- Ground cinnamon
Preparation
1. Boil the water with salt, remove from heat, and immediately add the flour. Mix until well integrated and a stiff paste is formed.
2. Place in a star-tipped pastry bag to give it a cylindrical shape. Cut pieces of 8 centimeters and fry in hot oil until golden brown.
3. place them on a paper towel to absorb the oil once cooked.
4. using a syringe, fill the churros with dulce de leche or chocolate.
5. Roll them in the mixture of cinnamon and sugar, and they are ready to serve. All that remains is to enjoy them.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mexican Churros
Those who have never tried this traditional sweet are very curious about how to prepare it at home. Here are some of the most common questions asked:
What do churros taste like?
This dessert is a delight for the palate. It tastes like freshly made sugared donuts with a touch of cinnamon.
Additionally, you can incorporate the taste of cocoa, dulce de leche, caramel, or condensed milk to make it even more exquisite.
Churros are eaten alone or accompanied by a hot beverage, such as pure or milk chocolate.
Can the dough be made in advance?
Yes, it is possible. As long as it is stored in the refrigerator, it remains in good condition for up to a couple of days.
After removing the dough from the fridge, it is important to let it rest at room temperature to soften. Otherwise, it will not cook well on the inside and will have a chewy texture.
How to store churros?
Since they are fried food, it is best to consume them immediately after preparation so they do not lose their crispiness.
However, if you want to store them for some reason, it is recommended to use an airtight container to keep them crispy for longer. This way, the dough pieces will also maintain their flavor.
What is the best way to reheat them?
If prepared in advance, it is ideal to cook them halfway so they can be fried again when ready to eat.
This way, they will remain crispy and taste as if they were freshly made.
Generally, when heated in the oven at a low temperature, they dry out and do not taste as delicious.
It is also not good to sprinkle churros with sugar if they are going to be stored. Why? Because when heated, it melts and becomes syrup.
The Best Mexican Churro Recipes
The fame of these fried doughs has given rise to countless versions of Mexican churros recipes.
From the typical dough made with wheat flour, salt, and water, to those filled with sweet creams or bathed in syrups.
The truth is that they are very similar to the Spanish ones both in texture and flavor.
Traditional recipes are the most commonly made at home, as they are easy and less expensive.
Some do not contain eggs, so they are made with only three ingredients. Any of them leaves a pleasant taste in the mouth and a desire to keep eating churros, whether they are classic with sugar and cinnamon or stuffed.
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