The Pudim de Leite Condensado
(Condensed Milk Pudding) is among the most classic of Brazilian deserts. It will be presents year-round anywhere in
Brazil where an important celebration is at hand. It is so deliciously moist
with just the right amount of sweet. Perfectly smooth inside and always covered
with a porous layer of caramelized sugar that gives it just the right amount of
crisp in the mouth.
A couple interesting historical facts are that
condensed milk in Brazil is famously known as Leite Moça (The Young Lady Milk).
This happened because when Nestle first sent it from Sweden, the Brazilian moms who would go to buy it
couldn’t really say or translate the English title on the so desired little
cans. But the distinguished factor by which they were recognized was the pretty
young lady in the front. Thus they would simply ask for the can with the young
lady and even ‘til today the name and the picture have stuck.
The recipe itself came from a Portuguese
abbot, the head of a monastery. It was his own secret recipe never to be shared
with anyone! He even held a famous contest to see anyone could come with the
recipe to match his perfect custard but none were successful. Only after his
death was his recipe divulged and as the Portuguese culture spread throughout
Brazil, so did this Heavenly desert.
I attempted to make it last
Saturday but it I burned it. Nothing more needs to be said about that…
