Authentic Dulce de Leche

[tsertic]

My sister just came back from Buenos Aires with La Paulina Dulce de Leche, which is IMHO far better than the PC brand, and the brand I buy from WIlliams Sonoma (sorry, forgot the name).

Anyone know if it's available here, or are there any recommendations of other Leche's to try?

[basileater]

For anyone interested, the Mexican version of this dessert (the one made with goat's milk or a combination of goat and cow's milks) is called cajeta and is somewhat tangier.

I have tried all the brands of dulce de leche available at Perola's and at Emporium Latino in Kensington. I agree with the previous poster who says there is something off about the taste. Many of the brands contain additives, but even the higher quality varieties with no unpronounceable ingredients taste strange, and not nearly as good as boiling your own can in water for a couple of hours. I know we aren't supposed to discuss cooking here, but in the interests of safety let me just say if you attempt this to make absolutely certain that the water level completely covers the can the entire time or it may explode. You can also make your own dulce de leche and cajeta on the stove from fresh milk. It requires a little more effort, but there is no comparison in flavour.

If you don't want to make your own, you can purchase homemade dulce de leche from Sabores Latinos in the North Market at SLM on Saturday. I haven't tried it.

[ctl98]

I've tried several brands from the ones you get at Kensington to the PC one and nothing comes close to making your own from condensed milk. I think they add some preservative to the pre-made ones that make it taste a bit "off."

[ravenous]

Could also try Loblaws or No Frills. I know others who have been able to find it in their neighbourhood No Frills. I was able to find it in the SuperCentre at Scarborough Town. There were at least 3 brands last I saw. Highly recommend San Cor, an Argentinian brand.

[Wahooty]

Highland Farms does have a couple, although it seems like they've been cutting back the South American section - I could swear they used to have more options. I prefer the Argentinian ones to the Mexican...HF carries a brand called Caramella that isn't bad, and I just tried Manfrey. In my opinion, either of these are better than the PC version. My favorite that I've found in town was at Perola - I think it's La Salamandra, but I'm not positive. It has a white label and is one of the most expensive ones at ~$5.99 a jar, but the closest I've found to the stuff my dad brought back from the factory in Argentina years ago.

[VP of Feeling Groovy]

There are several latin grocery stores in Kensington Market and all stock a couple brands of dulce de leche. For no particular reason, I shop at Perola's which is (I think) the most northern Latin store on Augusta. They have a few different brands of dulce de leche and can, I'm sure, make recommendations or explain the differences. I believe they are Mexican and have more Mexican products but there is also good representation from Argentina and other S. American countries.

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Perola
247 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T, CA

[basileater]

I don't know if the owners are Mexican, but the women I have seen cooking in the back are Mexican, and the menu sign says "food by Mexicans for Mexicans" (but in Spanish of course.)

[grandgourmand]

I haven't tried them for comparison, but if you go to the latin section of Highland Farms, they have 1-2 other varieties that you can try.

[grandgourmand]

Oh, and I'm not sure if the stuff from Highland Farms is Mexican (which is typically made of goat milk) or Argentinian (which is from cow's milk).

An alternative, if you really like this stuff is to get a canned of condensed milk and boil/simmer it for several hours. You'd have to google for more detail on technique, but I think that method is pretty common.

[tjr]

You can also used condensed milk and toss it in a pressure cooker. It's really quick that way.