A Sweet Treat for Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month

Food brings us together to celebrate special occasions. This is especially true for the Hispanic/Latinx community living in the US as nothing beats eating a savory dish than sharing it with our familia. While the flavors vary greatly from Mexican to Argentinean cuisine, some recipes are shared in most Latin American cultures.

Torrejas —or torrijas— is a delicious dessert similar to the famous French toast that is made of bread and enjoyed in most Hispanic countries including Guatemala, Cuba and El Salvador. Each country adds its own unique twist to this sweet treat but the main ingredients remain the same everywhere.

In honor of National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 through October 15, we’re sharing a variation of this traditional recipe that you can easily make with products that will pack your receipt with points such as Bimbo bread and pair it with some Marinela baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Torrejas recipe with Bimbo bread

Ready to make an impression at your next gathering? You’ll only need six ingredients to make these savory torrejas:

• 3 slices of Bimbo bread cut in half
• 1 cup of milk
• Ground cinnamon to taste
• 3 large eggs
• Honey to taste (can be replaced with sugar)
• Olive oil for frying

Directions:

1. Pour milk into a mixing bowl and add eggs. Beat them until consistency is reached and add ground cinnamon.
2. Place a slice of Bimbo bread in the mixture and let it soak on both sides. Repeat this step with all six halves.
3. Pour olive oil into a frying pan and heat to medium. Be sure to add enough oil so it covers the bottom of the pan.
4. Place all six slices with mixture in the frying pan and let the bottom fry for a minute. Then, flip the slices to fry the other side as well. 
5. Remove slices from the pan once they’re evenly fried on both sides and place them on a plate with paper towel to let excess oil drain.
6. Drizzle with honey, sugar or additional cinnamon and… ¡buen provecho!

What is the National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month?

The National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is annually celebrated from September 15 through October 15 to honor the contributions and achievements of the Hispanic Americans whose ancestors came from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Spain.

The observation was first established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 and later on expanded to a 30-day celebration by President Ronald Reagan, in 1988.

But why these specific dates? It’s actually no coincidence. Most Hispanic American countries claimed their independence from Spain during these dates, and Columbus’s Day or Día de la Raza, which takes place on October 12, also falls during this 30-day period. 

These dates bring all countries of Spanish-speaking origin together to celebrate the histories, cultures, and of course, cuisine brought to the United States.