Coquito ~ Puerto Rican Eggnog

Coquito (Eggless Eggnog & Rum)
pronounced [koh-kee-toh]

What is Coquito? It is eggnog.

It’s a Puerto Rican Holiday Drink named after the island’s mascot,

Coqui, a frog.
There are several variations of eggnog. My preference is an Eggless Eggnog.

So what is a Coqui? It's a small frog.

It’s Puerto Rico's mascot.

“The specie ''Puerto Rican coquí'' sings co-quí, co-quí, co-quí at dusk

and changes to co-quí-quí-quí, co-quí-quí-quí, co-quí-quí-quí, at dawn.

It is arboreal - climbing to the top of trees in search of insects.

There it remains until dawn when it changes its song

and jumps down nesting until the evening.”
http://www.elboricua.com/coqui.html

Want to hear a Coqui? Click on the youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54-FzuE-w0U&feature=related


Take a glimpse of Puerto Rico ~ La Isla del Encanto

~ Paradise, Beauty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvOLT7fjQ3Q&feature=related

As I mentioned, there are several versions. This recipe is my version of Coquito.

Coquito

(Carmen's Eggless Eggnog & Bacardi Rum)

Ingredients:
1 - 15 oz can cream of coconut (Coco Lopez brand) *recommended brand

2 - 12 oz cans evaporated milk

1 ½ cups Bacardi Rum (white) [you can use a little less if preferred]

Directions:
1 Open the cream of coconut can and scoop out contents into a bowl.

2 Microwave for about 20-30 seconds until all the cream has melted.

3 Stir until cream is dissolved.

4 Shake the two cans of evaporated milk.

5 Open the cans of evaporated milk and pour into the bowl of cream of coconut.

6 Pour 1 ½ cups (or less) of White Bacardi Rum into the milk mixture.

7 Sift twice through a strainer. * optional

8 Pour in a fancy glass and Enjoy!

I do not refrigerate the Coquito. But, you can.

Enjoy your Coquito! Viva Puerto Rico!

~ Carmen

Recipe shared with Browneyedbaker.com

Baking is my Zen LLC launches

It finally happened...Baking is my Zen LLC is now in business.

It's my dream come true! I am passionate about my business and I look forward to bringing many smiles to those who enjoy an edible favor from Baking is my Zen.

Cupcake Wedding favors is the specialty of the business.

Cupcake favors are also available for other occasions.

In time, I hope to expand and offer other types of sweets as favors.

Website: http://www.bakingismyzen.com

T-Shirts with the 'Baking is my Zen' logo can be purchased from the website.

I truly believe in giving back to the community.

A portion of all sales will go toward helping those in need.

Baking is my Zen LLC

supports

Share Our Strength

Their mission is to make sure

no child go hungry

in the United States.

Blessed are those that can give without remembering

and take without forgetting.

Elizabeth Bibesco ~ British Poet

Peace in baking, Carmen

Happy Halloween!

Chocolate Chip Cookies...with a finishing salt (fleur du sel)

...what's not to like?

I was asked to bake a few cakes for a Halloween Party of approximately 20 kids and parents.

To bring it up a knotch, (like Emeril Lagasse would say) I placed the cakes in a decoration of sorts.

I bought a plastic caldron and put the cake in the caldron. Added black tissue paper and creature features. Voila! A decoration for a cake presentation.

Check out the Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe from Jacques Torres.

I baked this for Trick or Treaters.

Really delicious! You've got to try these!

Sprinkled on these cookies is a finishing salt...Fleur du Sel.

Brand: Esprit Du Sel.

What's so great about adding the salt?

You experience the sweet, then the salty.

It's a YIN/YANG experience for your tastebuds.

His recipe calls for Valrhona chocolate. I used Ghiradelli. I also added walnuts.

Happy Halloween! Be Safe!

Peace in baking,
Carmen