What Are Churros?

Churros are fried dough pastries that originate from Spain and Portugal, with versions also popular in Latin American countries. Traditional churros are long, ridged sticks of dough which are fried until crispy on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside. They are then tossed in sugar for sweetness.

Churros are made from just a few basic ingredients – flour, water, oil for frying, and sugar or cinnamon for coating. So while they may look fancy, they’re actually quite easy and budget-friendly to prepare at home!

Different Types of Churros

There are a few variations when it comes to the look, shape, and coating of churros:

Traditional long sticks
Long, ridged sticks are the most common shape for churros. They’re easy to hold and fun to dunk into warm chocolate sauce!

Short sticks or “porras”
In some regions, churros are cut into smaller 3-4 inch pieces rather than long sticks.

Wheels or loops
Round, doughnut-shaped churros are also popular. These are sometimes called “rosquillas” or “buñuelos”.

Sugar coating
Most churros are simply rolled in regular white granulated sugar after frying. The sugar adds sweetness and a nice crunch.

Cinnamon sugar
For extra flavor, try coating your churros in a cinnamon sugar mixture instead. Delicious!

Flavored sugars
You can also get creative with your coating and use flavors like chocolate, strawberry, or pumpkin spice sugar.

No matter what shape or coating you choose, homemade churros always make for a tasty, comforting treat!

Churros Ingredients

As mentioned, churros require just a few basic kitchen staples:

Flour
All-purpose (plain) flour works best. Bread flour can also be used.

Water
Warm water is used to form the dough.

Eggs
Eggs help add structure and richness to the dough. They’re optional, but recommended.

Sugar
White granulated sugar for rolling the fried churros.

Cinnamon sugar
To make this sweet coating, simply mix granulated sugar with ground cinnamon.

Oil for frying
Any neutral-flavored oil like canola, vegetable, or peanut oil.

Salt
A pinch of salt enhances the flavor.

Vanilla (optional)
A teaspoon of vanilla extract adds extra flavor to the dough.

That’s truly all you need! Now let’s get into some easy homemade churros recipes.

Simple Homemade Churros Recipe

This basic churros recipe produces sweet, golden Spanish fritters that will impress any crowd. You’ll be a churros pro in no time!

Makes 15-20 churros

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 2 quarts neutral frying oil
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1) In a medium saucepan, bring the water, butter, and salt to a boil. Remove from heat once boiling. Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until combined into a thick, sticky dough that pulls away from the sides of the pan.

2) Transfer dough to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for about 1 minute to release excess steam and cool slightly. Add the eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to fully incorporate before adding the next. Continue beating until the dough becomes sticky again and stretches when lifted.

3) Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the dough into long strips, cutting them into 4-5 inch pieces with a pair of kitchen shears as you go.

4) In a high-sided pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F on a deep-frying thermometer. Working in batches, fry churros for 1-2 minutes per side until deeply golden.

5) Drain churros on a paper towel-lined plate before rolling them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Serve warm. Enjoy!

Tips for Frying Perfect Churros:

• Use a thermometer to maintain proper oil temperature. This prevents uneven cooking.
• Fry churros in small batches to allow ample room to cook. Don’t overcrowd.
• Turn over churros during frying to achieve an evenly crispy texture.
• Let excess oil drain off for a few seconds before coating in sugar.
• Roll warm churros (not hot!) in sugar mixture so it adheres nicely.

How to Serve Churros

Churros are best enjoyed fresh and warm! Here are some delicious ways to serve them:

• Simply dusted with cinnamon sugar
• Served with warm chocolate or dulce de leche dipping sauce
• Topped with ice cream for an impromptu churros sundae
• Layered with fruit and whipped cream for a tasty churros parfait
• Sprinkled with colorful decorating sugars for a festive dessert
• Offer an assortment of fun dipping sauces like raspberry, caramel, lemon curd, etc.

You really can’t go wrong when topping or serving churros – they pair well with so many sweet treats!

Pro Tips for Churros Success

Here are some extra churros tips and tricks for making sure each batch turns out perfectly crunchy and delicious:

• Use a piping bag or zip top bag with corner snip to pipe uniform churro shapes. This also helps speed up the frying process.
• Chill the piped churro dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) before frying for less chance of deformed shapes.
• Use a combo cooker or other deep, high-sided pan to safely fry. Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F.
• Fry churros in small batches so they don’t overcrowd and cool down the oil.
• If churros aren’t crisping up enough, increase oil temp slightly. For more crispness, fry an extra 20-30 seconds.
• Cool fried churros for 1-2 minutes before coating in sugar. The sugar won’t stick as evenly if too hot.
• Store leftover uncoated churros in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Re-fry to crispen up before enjoying.

Now you know everything needed to bake up a perfect batch of churros! With this handy guide, you’ll be whipping up these classic Spanish treats at home in no time.

From easy homemade recipes to pro sugar-coating tips, you have all the tools to fry, coat and serve spectacular churros that will impress any crowd. I sincerely hope you find this “Churros Recipes and Ingredients” article helpful.

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What is Crème Brûlée?

Crème brûlée, which translates to “burnt cream”, is made by gently cooking egg yolks, cream and sugar into a luscious custard, which is then chilled and finally topped with a crisp layer of burnt sugar. This thin sugary shell contrasts deliciously with the smooth, creamy custard underneath. The flavor is sweet and subtly vanilla, with the burnt sugar adding lovely caramelized notes.

The History of Crème Brûlée

While custards and puddings have been around for centuries, crème brûlée as we know it today traces its roots back to 17th century France. The story goes that crème brûlée was created by accident when a French chef left custards cooking too long. However, the chef discovered that the skin which had formed from the longer cooking time added exceptional flavor. The caramelized top layer became a defining feature of crème brûlée.

The dessert became popular in French cafes and high society events over the next few centuries. It remains beloved today as an elegant finale to special occasion meals.

Essential Tips for Making Crème Brûlée

Crème brûlée requires care and attention during preparation for ideal results. Follow these top tips:

• Scald the cream first: Heating the cream helps the custard set properly. Bring it just to a simmer then let it cool.
• Cook gently: Bake the custard slowly in a water bath at low heat – this creates a silky texture.
• Don’t overbake: The custard should still jiggle slightly when done to prevent curdling or overcooking.
• Cool and chill completely before caramelizing: This allows the custard to set fully so the brûlée top stays crisp after cooling.
• Choose the right dish: Shallow ramekins work perfectly for brûlées – they help the custard cook evenly.
• Caramelize patiently: Moving the kitchen torch slowly over the sugar creates an even, delicate crunchy top.

Mastering these tips will help you achieve show-stopping crème brûlées. Now let’s get to the full recipe!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Custard:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 1⁄2 cup white sugar
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

Burnt Sugar Topping:

• 2-4 tablespoons white sugar (depending on number of ramekins)

You’ll also need:

• 4-6 ramekins
• Baking dish larger than ramekins
• Kitchen torch

Step-By-Step Crème Brûlée Recipe

Follow these simple steps for perfect vanilla crème brûlées.

Prep the ramekins:

1. Position a rack in middle of oven. Heat oven to 300°F. Arrange 4-6 ramekins in a baking dish large enough to hold them without touching.

Make the crème brûlée custard:

2. Pour cream into a saucepan. Use tip of a knife to scrape seeds from vanilla bean into cream. Add split vanilla pod too. Heat over medium just until simmering. Remove from heat and let stand 15 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, whisk sugar, egg yolks and salt until blended. Slowly whisk in warm cream until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup or pitcher.
4. Divide evenly among ramekins – they should be almost full. Carefully pour hot water into baking dish to come halfway up sides of ramekins.
5. Bake 35-40 minutes until centers jiggle slightly when ramekins are tapped. The cream should be just set – it will firm up after chilling.

Chill:

6. Carefully remove ramekins from water bath. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight until chilled through.

Add the burnt sugar topping:

7. Uncover ramekins. Evenly sprinkle 1-2 tsp sugar over top of each custard. Tilt and tap each ramekin to distribute sugar evenly.
8. Ignite a kitchen torch and wave the flame slowly over the layer of sugar until melted and caramelized to a dark amber color. Rotate ramekins to ensure even caramelization. Let cool 3 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy your crème brûlées by scooping spoonfuls through the crispy burnt sugar topping to reach the smooth custard. Here are some tasty ways to serve them:

• Fresh berries make a lovely accompaniment. Scatter raspberries, blueberries or strawberries around the ramekins.
• For an elegant dessert, serve with shortbread cookies or delicate French langues de chat.
• For a chocolate version, sprinkle a pinch of cocoa powder or grated bittersweet chocolate over the caramelized sugar before serving.
• Garnish with fresh mint leaves or edible flowers for a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Properly stored crème brûlées will keep for 2-3 days tightly covered in the fridge. To serve after storing:

• Let chilled crème brûlées stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before re-caramelizing the top layer with more sugar and a kitchen torch.
• They can also be served cold straight from the fridge. The topping will be less crisp but the custard remains lush.
• To reheat, bake in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. Then cool 5 minutes before topping with sugar and torching again.

The Perfect Finish to Any Meal

With its simple yet elegant contrast of textures and flavors, crème brûlée is a dessert that always impresses. Now that you know the secrets behind making it successfully at home, you can treat your guests to these classically delicious crème brûlées. Their creamy interiors encased in crisp burnt sugar shells are sure to provide the perfect sweet finale to a great meal. I sincerely hope you like reading this “How to Make Crème Brûlée In 2024-Recipe and Ingredients” article.

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The Incident at Whole Foods Beverly Hills

On Friday May 17th, 2024, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced they are investigating a confirmed case of Hepatitis A in a worker at the Whole Foods Market located at 239 N. Crescent Drive in Beverly Hills.

According to health officials anyone who purchased items from the seafood counter at this Whole Foods between April 20th and Monday have been exposed and should seek vaccination if they are not already immune to Hepatitis A.

The infected employee worked behind the seafood counter during the potential exposure window. No other cases have been identified among staff or customers at this time.

Part of a Larger Homeless Outbreak

This grocery worker infection appears to be linked to a larger Hepatitis A outbreak affecting homeless individuals in LA County. On Monday, the health department reported investigating 5 cases among the homeless community since mid-March.

While the risk to the general public is considered low, homelessness increases Hepatitis A vulnerability due to limited access to handwashing facilities and toilets. The virus spreads through contaminated food/water or close contact with an infected person.

The county is offering free Hepatitis A vaccines at homeless encampments and interim housing sites to control the outbreak in this high-risk population.

About Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe condition lasting several months.

Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), diarrhea, and fatigue. While rarely fatal, Hepatitis A can cause liver failure in some cases.

The virus is typically transmitted by ingesting contaminated food or water, or through close personal contact with an infectious person. An infected individual can spread the virus up to 2 weeks before experiencing symptoms.

Good hand hygiene practices like thorough handwashing are critical to preventing transmission.

Vaccination is the best way to protect against Hepatitis A. The vaccine is given in 2 doses spaced 6-12 months apart and provides long-lasting immunity. Both children and adults can receive the safe and effective shot.

Recommendations for the Public

For those who may have been exposed at the affected Whole Foods seafood counter, the LA County Department of Public Health urges

• Getting the Hepatitis A vaccine as soon as possible if you are not already vaccinated or immune. The vaccine can help prevent infection if received within 2 weeks of exposure.
• Contact your pharmacy or healthcare provider immediately to receive the vaccine.
• The health department is working with Whole Foods to facilitate employee vaccinations.

For the general public, the health department recommends

• Checking your vaccination status and getting immunized against Hepatitis A if you are not already protected.
• Practicing good hand hygiene – wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating, preparing food, and after using the restroom.
• Being aware of Hepatitis A symptoms and seeing a doctor promptly if you experience fever, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice.
• Healthcare providers should be on alert for potential new cases.

The health department states the current risk to the general public remains low but encourages vaccination and preventative measures. Controlling this outbreak, especially among vulnerable homeless populations, is a priority.

By following guidance from health authorities, staying up-to-date on Hepatitis A vaccines, and maintaining diligent hygiene practices, we can help prevent further spread of this dangerous yet preventable infection. I sincerely hope you find this “How Did Hepatitis A Infect Beverly Hills Whole Food Workers? Discover the Story Here” article helpful.

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Deep-Fried Candy Bars…On a Stick

You likely remember the chocolate-dipped bacon craze from fairs past. Well now, the deep fryers are focused on your favorite candy bars like Snickers, Twix, Milky Ways and 3 Musketeers. The rich candy is frozen first before being dipped into a sweet batter and fried to a golden crisp.

As if that wasn’t enough, it then gets stuck on a stick for easy walking and eating! These deep-fried delights have been all over social media with over 5,000 likes on the LA County Fair’s Instagram post revealing them.

Spicy Elote Ice Cream

Ice cream with a kick! This special ice cream flavor takes inspiration from Mexican street corn elote, with mixes of sweet corn, lime, chili powder and cotija cheese. Food vlogger @foodiegirl went wild for this creation in her YouTube review, saying “You get the creaminess of ice cream followed by the explosion of elote flavors…my mouth is on fire but I can’t stop eating it!” It’s exclusive to the LA County Fair so you’ll have to get it while you can.

The 1-Foot Hot Dog

Hot dog lovers can rejoice in the famous 1-foot hot dog from Chicken Charlie’s. This foot-long beef hot dog is loaded with toppings like bacon, onions, peppers, nacho cheese and more. It was the crown jewel of Chicken Charlie’s stand last year, with customers begging for its return in 2024. Now it’s back and bigger than ever for the adventurous eaters out there daring to take on the challenge. Just be warned – you might need to unbutton your pants for this one!

Cookie Dough-Stuffed Cookie Milkshakes

Milkshakes stuffed with cookies? That’s already a win. But the LA County Fair is taking it to the next level this year with milkshakes that have DOUGH stuffed inside! The cookie milkshake is blended with generous chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough before getting topped with an entire cookie sandwich, whipped cream and sprinkles. Early photos have over 30,000 likes on Twitter and many comments from users saying “I NEED this!” and “This looks life changing!” Definitely a must-try treat this year.

As you can see, the 2024 LA County Fair is not holding back on food that makes your eyes pop and your stomach growl! Which crazy fair creation are you most looking forward to trying? Let the deep-fried, ice cream, and cookie-stuffed adventures begin.

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