Forums > Specific Focus > Mexican Kitchen

Caarina12

Jan 10, 2006, 9:23 AM

Post #1 of 5 (1537 views)

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Piloncillo Victim

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A few months back, there was a discussion on this forum regarding how to break up piloncillo before using it. Well, I guess I needed to re-read that section before last night.

I was making some atole and wanted some, you guessed it, piloncillo, to sweeten it up a bit. I brought out my trusty hammer and plastic bag to break it up into bits so that I didn't have to use the whole cone. Well.... after three good whacks nothing happened. So, I proceeded to reposition the piloncillo and hammer again only this time, I didn't hit the piloncillo at all...and the only thing that seemed to get broken was my left thumb.

After almost fainting, a trip to the ER and scaring the living bejeezus out of my 3 year old, I will be turning over piloncillo smashing responsibilities to my husband. And thankfully, all I have is a very ugly nail and no fracture!

Caarina

Anonimo

Jan 10, 2006, 9:29 AM

Post #2 of 5 (1534 views)

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Re: [Caarina12] Piloncillo Victim

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A safer way might be to place the cone in a bowl and pour boiling hot water over it. In syrup form (basically, a sort of molasses), you should be able to measure it out easily.

Saludos,
Anonimo

Esteban

Jan 13, 2006, 9:33 AM

Post #3 of 5 (1491 views)

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Re: [Caarina12] Piloncillo Victim

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I have found that a cheese grater works great.

esperanza

Jan 13, 2006, 9:40 AM

Post #4 of 5 (1487 views)

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Re: [Caarina12] Piloncillo Victim

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Oh my god. Truly, the melting technique is the way to go. Piloncillo is hard as a rock, as you found out, but it melts quickly in a little water and can be added to taste to your atole.

When I was a piloncillo neophyte, I tried to grind some up in my blender, just the little cone of piloncillo. This should work, says I. I can chop up ice this way, so sugar's no biggie.

Wrong. It cracked the blender jar and scared the you-know-what out of me (oh yeah, the living bejeezus).

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

patricio_lintz

Jan 13, 2006, 12:36 PM

Post #5 of 5 (1478 views)

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Re: [Esteban] Piloncillo Victim

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A meat cleaver works too. But press; don't hack.