In the midst of the torrijas season, with overflowing pastry shop display cases and eternal debates between those made with milk or wine, the General Secretariat of Consumer Affairs, dependent on the Ministry of Social Rights, Agenda 2030 and Consumer Affairs of Pablo Bustinduy, has decided to enter the conversation with a suggestive proposal: an —almost institutional— guide to prepare “the perfect torrija”.
Each house has its recipe and its trick, but the Government has put black on white its version of this classic, with a message that mixes tradition, health and local product.
The base, as it could not be otherwise, starts with the bread. Here there are no detours: "better if it is candeal or whole wheat", two options that guarantee consistency and absorption without falling apart in the attempt. And, by the way, Consumer Affairs slips in a recommendation with economic and social implications: to go to the neighborhood bakery. Tradition, yes, but also support for local commerce.
In milk comes one of the guide's most striking twists. Against the most indulgent recipe —whole milk, sugar, and patience—, Consumo opts for a lighter version: skimmed milk to achieve the creamy texture without excesses. A small adjustment that reveals the document's general approach: enjoy, yes, but with moderation.
The critical moment, that of the frying pan, also has an alternative: "If you fry them, better with EVOO, you can also bake them: 190º six minutes per side"
Finally, the final touch: "coat with less sugar and more cinnamon and you can accompany it with natural apple compote".
The result is a lighter, more conscious recipe and with a constant nod to local produce. Between decrees and regulations, there is always space to discuss how to make a good torrija.