Capirotada de Mango con Salsa de Tamarindo
- 1 (1-pound) mango and 1 (1/2-pound) mango (ripe but a bit firm)
- 1 brioche or challah bread
- 1/2 cup brandy, dark rum, or tequila
- 1/3 cup dried cherries
- 1/3 cup black raisins
- 4 cups half-and-half
- 1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 (3-inch) piece canela
- Pinch of salt
- 9 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup tamarind pulp with seeds
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- TO MAKE THE BREAD PUDDING, peel the skin from the 1-pound mango using a vegetable peeler and slice off the thicker end to make a base so it can stand up.
- Hold the narrow tip with one hand and slice the mango into evenly thick slices (about 1/4 inch) on each side (use a mandoline if you have one).
- Reserve the slices.
- Slice off the thicker end of the 1/2-pound mango to make a base so it can stand up.
- Holding the mango firmly, slice downward with a sharp knife as close to the seed as possible; repeat on the other side.
- Scoop out the flesh with a large spoon and puree in a blender or food processor.
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve only if you have any fibrous bits.
- Dice the bread into 1/4-inch cubes, lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet, and toast in the oven until dry (its okay if they color a little).
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Meanwhile, heat the brandy in a small pan over low heat until it begins to bubble around the edges.
- Remove from the heat, add the dried cherries and raisins, and soak until softened, about 20 minutes.
- Combine the half-and-half, 1 1/4 cups of the sugar, canela, and salt in a pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- In a large heatproof bowl, whisk the eggs.
- Strain half of the hot mixture into the eggs, whisk briskly, then strain the remaining hot mixture into the eggs.
- Add the mango puree, bread cubes, macerated fruit with any remaining liquid, and the vanilla.
- Stir well to combine, and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch cake pan and dust with sugar, tapping out the excess.
- Lay the mango slices all around the bottom of the pan, overlapping so there are no holes.
- Spoon the bread pudding mixture on top and press gently so the top is even and the mixture reaches the bottom.
- Put the cake pan in a larger baking dish and carefully pour hot water to fill up three-fourths of the way up the sides (I like to do this right in the oven so I dont spill it).
- Bake until firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the water and allow to cool completely before unmolding.
- Run a sharp knife around the edges, place a serving plate or dish over the pan, and rapidly but carefully flip over.
- Refrigerate the bread pudding for at least 1 hour before caramelizing the top of it.
- (You can make the bread pudding up to this point and refrigerate overnight, covered.)
- Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons sugar on top of the mango slices, creating an even layer.
- Holding a blowtorch about 2 inches from the top, melt the sugar, moving the blowtorch evenly across the surface until the sugar is golden and caramelized.
- Allow to cool slightly, 1 to 2 minutes, and lightly score the slices you want.
- Basically, you want to cut through the sugar before it hardens so it doesnt crack.
- If the sugar sticks to the knife, wait a little longer and try again.
- Wipe off the knife between slices, if necessary.
- TO MAKE THE TAMARIND SAUCE, combine the tamarind pulp and water in a small-medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring.
- Pass the mixture through a strainer, pressing to remove the seeds and all the fibers.
- Stir in the honey, brown sugar, and salt.
- Let cool.
- Add a bit more hot water if it is too thick (it should be thick but pourable).
- Serve each slice with sauce alongside.
mango, bread, brandy, dried cherries, black raisins, sugar, canela, salt, eggs, vanilla, tamarind, water, honey, dark brown sugar, salt
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/capirotada-de-mango-con-salsa-de-tamarindo-384228 (may not work)