Churros From Casa Marcela Recipes

Steps:

• For the churros: In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the butter, sugar and salt to the water and stir until the butter is melted, the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is returned to a rolling boil. Meanwhile, whisk together the flour and cinnamon in a medium bowl until combined.
• Turn off the heat. Using a heatsafe rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the flour mixture until it's evenly saturated and coming together in a smooth ball. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Use the spatula to break up the dough into small pieces in the bowl and add the eggs and vanilla. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, work your way around the bowl incorporating the chunks of dough, egg and vanilla. The mixture will be lumpy at first. After 5 minutes of mixing, it should be evenly hydrated and smooth.
• Transfer the mixture to a large pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip. Note: A quart container or large cup is very useful to have standing by, since you will be picking up and putting down your pastry bag quite a bit.
• For the coating: In a baking dish or large bowl, add the sugar, cinnamon and salt. This will be used to coat the churros, so make sure the vessel is large enough that a churro can lay flat in the sugar mixture.
• To a large heavy-bottomed pot, add 1 1/2 to 2 inches of vegetable oil. Set over medium-high heat until a deep-frying thermometer registers 350 degrees F.
• Reduce the heat to medium and using your pastry bag, pipe four 5-inch-long churros directly into the oil. Use kitchen shears or a paring knife to cut off the dough from the piping bag so that it will fall into the hot oil. (The churros should not feel crowded; the number you can cook at a time will vary depending on your pot size.) Cook until the outsides are dark golden brown and the insides are cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes on each side. The churros should be a dark golden color before you flip them. Periodically check your thermometer and increase or decrease the heat as needed to keep your oil at 350 degrees F.
• When the churros are dark golden on both sides, lift them out with tongs and place on a rack to cool slightly and drain excess oil. While they are still warm, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture so they have a nice even coating. Repeat with the remaining dough. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Steps:

• Chiles Curtidos (Pickled Vegetables):.
• Combine vinegar, sugar and water in a large pot and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Turn off heat and let pot sit.
• In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium high heat until hot. Add remaining ingredients. Cook until onions are wilted, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to the pot with vinegar mixture and stir well. Let sit until room temperature. Transfer vegetables and liquid to a glass jar with lid. Refrigerate at least 2 days to infuse flavors. Pickles with keep up to 2 months.
• Pork:.
• Place pork in a sealable baggie. Mix together remaining ingredients except for oil, and add to baggie. Seal baggie and shake to coat pork evenly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
• To cook, heat oil in deep skillet over high heat until hot. Add pork and cook, turning, until crisp on all sides and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Place on paper towels and set aside. When ready to assemble sandwiches, slice pork 1/4-inch thick.
• Refried Black Beans:.
• Combine bay leaves, garlic and onion and wrap in cheesecloth, tying ends to make a tight bundle.
• Bring water to boil in large pot. Add salt, beans and cheese cloth bundle. Return to a simmer and cook until beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. As beans cook, add more water if needed to keep them submerged. When beans are done, drain and reserve liquids. Discard cheesecloth bundle.
• In large skillet, heat oil until hot. Add garlic and cumin and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add beans and half the reserved bean liquid. Cook, stirring, 1-2 minutes. Transfer beans to a food processor and puree until smooth. Season with salt to taste. Add more bean liquid as needed for a thick, spreadable consistency.
• Cilantro Aioli:.
• Place mayonnaise, garlic, mustard, lemon juice, and half the cilantro in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. With motor running, slowly add oil. The mixture should be smooth. Add cold water as needed for spreadable consistency and to brighten the color. Add salt and lime juice and pulse briefly. Transfer to a bowl and stir in zest and remaining cilantro.
• Sandwich Assembly:.
• Heat a skillet or griddle until hot. Butter rolls and place in skillet to toast until golden. Spread both halves of rolls with cilantro aioli. Onto bottom halves, layer black beans, pork, chiles curtidos, avocado, queso fresco, tomato and lettuce. Add top half of roll and serve.