TORREJAS RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and whole eggs. Add sugar; whisk to combine. Add evaporated milk, Grand Marnier, if using, vanilla, and cinnamon; whisk to combine. Divide mixture between 2 shallow baking dishes. Place bread in a single layer over mixture in dishes; let bread stand, turning several times, until soaked, about 15 minutes.
• In a large skillet, melt half of butter over medium heat. Place soaked bread slices from one baking dish in skillet; cook until golden brown on both sides, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Wash and dry baking dish; return torrejas to clean baking dish. Wipe out skillet, and repeat with remaining slices and dish.
• Pour 1 cup lime syrup over bread in each dish. Cover, and chill several hours or overnight, turning several times.
• To serve, remove peel and pith from limes. Using a sharp knife, cut out lime sections; discard membranes. Garnish with lime wedges and remaining 1/2 cup lime syrup.

Steps:

• For the cream cheese sauce:
• Combine the half-and-half, cream cheese, sour cream, condensed milk, vanilla extract and salt in a food processor and process until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the guava syrup:
• Combine the guava paste, cream soda and salt in a saucepan and heat gently, until the guava paste has melted into a syrup. (For an extra-smooth consistency, use a hand blender to puree any unmelted guava solids.) You will need 2 ounces of the guava syrup for the torrejas. Leftover syrup will keep in the refrigerator for at least 3 weeks.
• For the cookie sugar:
• Pulse the Maria cookies in a food processor until crumbled. Add the brown sugar and salt and pulse to combine.
• For the torrejas:
• Whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and salt in a medium mixing bowl (this can be done the night before), and pour the custard mixture into a pie pan.
• Soak the bread in the egg mixture for 30 seconds on each side, then remove to a rack set over a baking sheet to drain for a minute or two.
• Over medium-low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium nonstick skillet. Fry the torrejas, two slices at a time, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the skillet before starting the second batch of torrejas.
• To serve, place two torrejas on a plate. Drizzle generously with cream cheese sauce, then with guava syrup. Top with a sprinkling of Maria cookie sugar and some powdered sugar.