Cultural Extras

Churros:--- Spanish doughnut.

1 cup water

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 eggs

Peel of ½ lemon

Shortening or cooking oil for deep fat frying.

Sugar or powdered suga

In a saucepan bring water, sugar, and salt to boiling. Remove from heat. Stir in flour all at once and beat till smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, till mixture is smooth. Spoon the baffer into a pastry bag fitted with large star point. Pipe 3-inch strips onto small piece. of waxed paper or floured surface. Add lemon peel to deep fat and heat to 375° Using a wide spatula, tranfer strips to hot fat. Fry churros, a few at a time, for 3 to 4 minutes or till golden brown, turning as necessary Roll in sugar or powdered sugar. Makes 24.

Pumpkin-Black Bean Soup

2 TBS – olive oil

1 ½ c – chopped onion

3 large garlic cloves minced  

Dutch Oven Sauté onion and garlic in oil till tender.  

3-4 cans of black beans - undrained

1- 28 oz can whole tomatoes,-undrained

In a food processor, chop beans and Tomatoes. 

Add to sautéed onions and garlic.

Add: 1-2 cups –mashed pumpkin

1 48 oz can of chicken or beef broth

½ tsp of freshly ground pepper

1-2 tsp of salt

1- 2 tsp of nutmeg or cumin depending On your taste.  

Stir until well blended. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 15 min.  

Opt: 1 ¼ c diced ham ½ -1 c of sherry.  

Varying the broth and the spice will change the Flavor slightly. – used chicken because I had it on hand.  

You can also add more or less pumpkin according to taste-