Capirotada

This bread pudding is a Christmas tradition in most Mexican households.

INGREDIENTS | SERVES 8

8 slices white bread

2 large tart apples

1⁄2 pound mild Cheddar cheese

2 cups water

1 cup white granulated sugar

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1⁄2 teaspoon ground cloves

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

2 cups raisins

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Toast the bread and tear into 1" cubes. Peel the apples, remove the cores, and slice the apples into 1⁄2" pieces. Grate the cheese.
  3. Combine the water, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a medium-sized saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until the mixture becomes syrupy.
  4. Butter the bottom and sides of a rectangular baking. Place the bread cubes on the bottom. Sprinkle the apples and raisins on top. Then sprinkle the cheese on top of that. Pour the syrup over the top.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes.

Cheese and Fruit

Many Mexican desserts feature milk and fruit products, taking advantage of the two sweetest, unprocessed items in their diet. When combined with their wide array of spices, the result is an unusual blending of flavors that at first seems odd but gradually grows to be a pleasant culinary treat.