"Caballeros pobres" are a traditional Yucatecan dessert that delights with its simplicity and flavor. This classic dish from the Yucatán Peninsula is often enjoyed after a meal or as a sweet snack.
The dessert, whose name evokes a story of humility and creativity in the kitchen, is made with French bread, eggs, milk, and cinnamon—basic ingredients that are transformed into a comforting delight. It is generally served cold.
The peculiar name of "poor man's knight" is attributed to its humble origins, as it's made with "stale" or day-old bread to prevent waste. The recipe is a testament to how the ingenious Yucatecan cuisine has managed to turn simple ingredients into a timeless delicacy.
Slice the bread diagonally.
Mix the 2 milks and the vanilla. Dip the bread one slice at a time into this mixture, then cover with the egg whites.
Fry in oil, drain, set aside, and let cool.
Boil the water and the other 4 ingredients at low heat without stirring until thick (approx. 30 min.) and let cool.
Arrange the “caballeros pobres” in a serving dish, cover with the cooled syrup. Refrigerate 1 hour and serve.
