Panocha Recipes

Steps:

• In a medium-sized heavy saucepan combine sugar, cream, and salt and cook over low heat, covered, for 3 minutes.
• Remove lid and continue cooking over low heat (do not stir) until the mixture registers 234 degrees F on candy thermometer.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in butter.
• Then cool mixture to 110 degrees F by placing pan in another pan of cold water, changing water several times until candy registers 110 degrees F.
• Beat candy until it's very smooth and creamy.
• Stir in vanilla and pecans.
• Pour into buttered pan and cut into squares when cool.

Steps:

• For the shredded turkey: Heat a large pot of water to just below a simmer and add the salt, pepper, oregano, cilantro and garlic. Poach the turkey legs in the barely simmering water for 2 hours. Remove the turkey and pat dry.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Grill the turkey legs until nicely charred. Pull or shred the turkey and set aside.
• For the pickled red onions: Put the red onions in a mixing bowl with the vinegar, salt and 1/2 cup water. Mix well and let rest for 1 hour.
• For the black bean puree: In a medium saute pan, heat the oil or lard. Add the yellow and serrano chiles and fry lightly. Add the diced onions and saute until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes.
• In a blender, puree the black beans with just enough water to allow the mixture to run in the blender. Transfer the black bean puree to the pan with the onions and chiles and cook over medium-low heat, 20 to 30 minutes. Add salt to taste.
• For the tortillas: Mix or knead the salt into the masa. Divide the masa into 15 balls. As you work, keep the masa balls in a bowl covered with plastic wrap to keep the dough from drying out. Add a bit of water if needed for a pliant masa.
• Heat a comal (smooth, flat griddle) or skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
• Line a tortilla press with a piece of plastic wrap. Put 1 ball of masa into the center of the press and cover with another piece of plastic wrap. Press down on the tortilla press until the tortilla is about 6 inches in diameter.
• Carefully peel the plastic wrap off the tortilla and place the tortilla on the hot comal. When it no longer sticks to the comal, flip to the other side. Press the tortilla with a clean, folded kitchen cloth so that it puffs up. Press around the edges to make sure it puffs up all around and leave a few seconds more on the comal before removing the tortilla.
• Along the side, carefully slit the top layer of the tortilla that puffed up--an opening of 1 inch will do--and lift up all the way inside, creating a pocket. The tortilla will still be very hot, so be careful. Do not create too wide an opening, separate completely or tear. To cool, place on paper towels or a clean dish towel. Repeat the process with the remaining masa balls.
• Take a cooled tortilla, carefully lift open the top and smear a teaspoonful of black bean puree inside the pocket. Press with your fingers to make sure the bean puree is spread evenly all around. Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and black bean puree.
• Just before serving, heat the comal over medium-high heat and add some vegetable oil. To finish the panuchos, place each one on the hot comal and toast until golden on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Remove to paper towels. (This should be done just before you are ready to serve, as panuchos are best eaten freshly prepared.)
• To assemble: Top each panucho with a piece of lettuce, some shredded turkey, pickled red onions, a slice of tomato and a slice of avocado.

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients expect vanilla in large saucepan stirring constantly over medium heat until mixture boils. Cook stirring constantly until temperature reaches 238 on a candy thermometer or to soft ball stage. Remove from heat and cool to 110 degrees. Add vanilla. Beat until mixture loses it's gloss and begins to set then quickly stir in nuts. Quickly pour into 8 x 8 inch pan and cool. Cut into squares.

Steps:

• Combine sugar, water and salt in 3 quart sauce pan.
• Slowly bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves.
• Boil slowly to 246 degrees Farenheit (firm ball stage) Remove from heat.
• Add vanilla and walnut halves, stir until nuts are coated, then keep stirring, until the syrup crystallizes and turns "sugary". At this point they should not be sticky at all, but rather dry-looking.
• Dump out on waxed paper or foil and QUICKLY separate nuts using two forks.
• I usually have someone else work with me on this step.
• Let cool thoroughly before storing in a tightly covered container.