This unusual recipe came to The Times in 2000 from Zarela Martinez, the owner of Zarela, a landmark Mexican restaurant in New York that closed in 2011. The base here is a peanut ice milk, which is covered with torito, a rich, creamy peanut sauce made with cachaça, and individual sesame-peanut candies. The candies and ice milk can be made ahead of time.
Ingredients
For the peanut ice:
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 3 cups skim milk
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
For the peanut and sesame seed candies:
- 1 cup raw peanuts
- 1 cup sesame seeds
- 4 piloncillo cones (Mexican brown sugar), about 2 pounds total (see note)
For the peanut sauce:
- 2 12-ounce cans evaporated milk
- 1 14-ounce can condensed milk
- 1 cup sugar-cane liquor (see note)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Nutritional Information
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
1785 calories; 71 grams fat; 18 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 30 grams monounsaturated fat; 18 grams polyunsaturated fat; 246 grams carbohydrates; 10 grams dietary fiber; 143 grams sugars; 51 grams protein; 57 milligrams cholesterol; 735 milligrams sodium
Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
6 to 8 servings
Preparation
- To make peanut ice, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar with 1/3 cup water and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Simmer until sugar dissolves.
- In a blender or food processor, combine syrup, skim milk and peanut butter, and process until smooth. Transfer mixture to an ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- To make candies, in a heavy skillet over medium heat, toast peanuts, turning them so they do not burn, for about 5 minutes. Immediately transfer to food processor, or spread them out on a large baking sheet. If using a food processor, pulse gently until nuts are just broken up, about 1 minute. Otherwise, use a rolling pin to crush nuts on baking sheet.
- In same skillet over medium heat, toast sesame seeds, stirring, for about 3 minutes. Add to peanuts in food processor or baking sheet.
- In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine the piloncillo sugar with 1 quart water. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring frequently until the piloncillo melts. Continue to cook until syrup reaches hard crack stage (285 degrees on a candy thermometer), about 1 1/2 hours. Stir in peanuts and sesame seeds. Pour mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper. Cool. Place candy in a heavy duty plastic bag, and use a rolling pin to crush it into pea-size pieces.
- To make peanut sauce, in a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients and process until smooth. Transfer to a tightly covered bottle, and store in refrigerator for up to one month.
- To assemble sundaes, pour a little bit of peanut sauce into a tall glass. Place two scoops of peanut ice on top. Sprinkle with a little crushed candy and serve.
- Sugar-cane liquor from Brazil, called cachaca, is available at liquor stores. Piloncillo sugar is available in Mexican specialty shops like Kitchen Market, 218 Eighth Avenue (21st Street); (212) 243-4433.
3 hours
Dining and Cooking