Childhood recipes: “Caballero pobre” a Yucatecan delicacy
Is there a flavor that instantly transports you back to a joyful childhood memory? Some dishes, despite their simplicity, become cherished family recipes because they not only taste delicious but also evoke fond memories with our loved ones. In this article, Adrián Aguayo, the Executive Chef of the restaurant Lucca at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, shares one of the greatest culinary treasures from his childhood: the caballero pobre, which translates as “poor gentleman” in English.
The flavor of childhood
The first time Chef Adrián tasted the sweet flavor of a caballero pobre was on a rainy day in his childhood. The aroma of vanilla and cinnamon led him to the kitchen, where his mother transformed something as simple as a piece of bread roll into a delicacy.
The name sparked his curiosity, but the actual lesson came when he tasted the perfect combination of sugar, cinnamon, and fried bread. This dish, full of love and tradition, taught him that the best things in life are found in the simplest moments.
Discover more in this interview with Chef Adrián Aguayo!
Caballero pobre recipe
In Yucatán, the caballero pobre is much more than a dessert—it represents the resourcefulness of Mexican cuisine. Its playful name dates back to colonial times, when families found clever ways to give new life to stale bread. With milk, eggs, sugar, and a touch of syrup, it was transformed into a sweet and comforting treat.
It was given this name because it was considered the humble counterpart of European desserts, such as Spanish torrijas or French pain perdu, dishes traditionally served at aristocratic tables with finer ingredients. In contrast, this creation carries a touch of irony by calling a dessert made from yesterday’s bread a “gentleman.”
Now you too can savor this tradition at home with Chef Adrián’s childhood recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf of bread
- 3 eggs
- 100 g sugar
- 10 ml vanilla
- 2 g ground cinnamon
- 500 ml milk
- 1 L vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Whisk the egg whites with an electric mixer at medium speed or by hand until a smooth consistency is reached.
- In a large bowl, mix the milk and vanilla until combined.
- Pour oil into a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Cut the loaf of bread into slices and dip each one in the milk mixture, then coat it thoroughly in the egg mixture.
- Fry each slice of bread for 1 minute on each side, until golden.
- Place the fried slices on a baking dish lined with absorbent paper towels to remove excess oil.
- In a shallow dish, mix the sugar and cinnamon.
- Coat each slice with the sugar and cinnamon mixture and serve them warm.
Enjoy!
Do you have childhood recipes you would like to share?
