Dulce de Leche

Dulce de leche is a creamy caramel sauce, tradiationally made by cooking milk and sugar until caramelized. The slow heating of sweetened milk changed the color and flavor by a Maillard reaction. The easiest and most popular way this is made at home today is by cooking a can of sweetened condensed milk. However, there are several methods of doing this. You can cook the milk in the can, or take it out. Use the stove, oven or the microwave. In my opinion, the darker the milk is, the better (as long as it isn't burnt) but you can make a lighter caramel if desired.

1. In the can, on the stove: Peel any paper labels off the can and place in a pot of water, ensuring the can is submerged. Boil for 2-4 hours. Several cans can be cooked at a time this way, limited only by the size of the pot. Ensure the water level remains so that the cans are submerged. If kept at a rolling boil, it will take closer to two hours. If simmering, it will take longer. However, the milk is not likely to burn quickly, so always cook longer rather than shorter. You can also always pop open the can to check the color.
2. In the can, in the oven: Peel any paper labels off the can and place in a pot or pan of water, ensuring the can is submerged. Place in the oven and cook a few hours. A higher oven temperature will actually cook in less time than boiling.
3. Out of the can, on the stove: Pour milk into a pot and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often until of desired color.
4. Out of the can, in the microwave: Pour milk into a bowl, cook in one minute intervals on medium (50%) power, stirring each time until of desired color.
   

Caramel Apple Oat Frangipane Tart

Caramel Apple Oat Frangipane Tart
one freshly baked nine inch pie crust
one can or jar dulce de leche
6 medium cooking apples, peeled and cut into eighths
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon water
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
one recipe oatmeal frangipane (see tomorrow's post)

Preheat oven to 320◦F.
Spread the dulce de leche over the crust bottom.
Place the apples, sugar, water and cinnamon in a wide pot. Bring to a simmer and cook until apples are just beginning to soften. They will continue to cook in the oven. Drain well.

Arrange the apples over the dulce de leche.
Spread with oatmeal frangipane.

Bake for about 40 minutes until frangipane is golden and set and a toothpick inserted in the frangipane comes out clean.

Serve hot, warm, cooled, or even cold. If reheated, the oven is much better used than the microwave.