Cajeta Mexican Goat Milk Dulce De Leche Recipes

CAJETA - MEXICAN GOAT MILK DULCE DE LECHE

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottomed pot on medium-low heat, combine goat milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon stick, and sugar. Simmer and stir periodically with a wooden spoon until sugar is dissolved, about ten minutes. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot well so that no sugar sticks. Tip: Choose a pot that is larger than you think you'll need just in case the mixture starts to bubble up. You don't want to clean burnt sugar off of the stove top.
• Dissolve baking soda in water and add to milk/sugar mixture. This helps prevent lumps and aids in caramelizing.
• Reduce heat to low and cook for three hours, stirring periodically, or until the mixture has thickened and coats the back of a spoon. The volume should be roughly 1/4 of what you started with. Note that as the volume decreases, the mixture will come to more of a boil and you'll need to stir more often. For the last half hour, I recommend stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and discard the cinnamon stick. Cool and transfer to jars and refrigerate.

REAL MEXICAN CAJETA (GOAT'S MILK CARAMEL OR DULCE DE LECHE)

Steps:

• In a large, heavy pot (not iron), combine the milk, sugar, and vanilla, and place over medium heat. Stir regularly until the milk comes to a simmer and sugar is dissolved. Remove the pot from the heat and add dissolved baking soda; it will bubble up at this point, especially with goat's milk. When the bubbles have subsided, return it to the heat.
• Adjust heat so that the mixture is simmering briskly but not boiling. Cook, stirring regularly, until the mixture turns pale golden, about one hour.
• You will now need to stir the milk more regularly as it begins to thicken and turns a caramel-brown color. Don't allow the milk to stick to the bottom of the pot. You can drop a few drops into a small glass of water. If a soft ball forms, the cajeta is ready.
• If you take the pot off the heat and allow the cajeta to cool, it should be a medium-thick sauce. If it's too thick, add hot water, 1 tablespoon at a time until it is the proper consistency. If it is too thin, return to the heat until it thickens.
• When the cajeta is cool, remove the vanilla bean. Strain the cajeta through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or wide-mouthed jar, then scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the cajeta. Refrigerate until ready to use. Cajeta is best served warm.