[armarm1]

Trust me I read these instructions before I started several times. I also told you that I had cooked it on the stove as in #3 and it never reached a cream cheese like consistency. It stayed thick and creamy. You failed to address the other ingredients that are required. Maybe thats why my mixture never reached the correct consistency. You asked for " 1 small red onion, 1 green pepper and 1 teaspoon of baking powder" but there was never a part in the recipe when you actually USED them. You also asked for a 1/4 cup of raisins TWICE but you only USED them ONCE. When the casserole is finally put in the oven for 10 minutes should it be a bread like texture? If not, what should it be like?

[Aunt Clara]

Hmm... Posed like that the question will be a little confusing to other readers. This is the question I got by email

Quote:

I believe the recipe for corn flour casserole is incorrect. I tried >>to make it yesterday. I had all the ingredients but for some reason >>the corn flour portion came out soupy and flat tasting. I soaked it >>for approximately 2 1/2 hrs. I followed the directions precisely. >>After I was done I noticed that all the ingredients you required >>were not used. Such as peppers, onions and baking powder. You also >>ask twice for raisins but only use them once. Is 4 cups of water >>and 1 cup of corn flour correct? I heated the mixture on the stove >>as directed but it never got to a cream cheese consistency. It >>reached a creamy liguid and stayed there. Even after I continued to >>leave it in the oven for almost an hour it stayed the same. Maybe >>an experienced cook could have made this come out right but since I >>am not, I really do need specific directions. Could you possibly >>correct the recipe on line or e-mail it to me? thanks so much!!

Thanks for posting your question here. I will check again and reply soon.

[Aunt Clara]

This reminds me of a lesson thought (but apparently not learned enough) that I got from my late ex-boss. "If you explain something to somebody and he/she doesn't understands chances are that you are not doing a good job of conveying your message". Or, as anyone who's studied customer service and human relations will remember, the question should not be "do you understand me?" but "did I explain myself clearly?".

In short: you were right all along. The instructions could have been clearer. I just cleaned it up and bit and hope that I now explained it better. Please check and let me know what you think.

Thanks for the heads up.

[armarm1]

That was the first e-mail I sent you. You then checked the recipe and said that it was correct. I then replied to that and you asked me to put on the forum so thats what did. Sorry if I confused you. All I want is the correct directions. Please refer to ALL of my e-mails for a proper understanding.

[Aunt Clara]

Arman, I again did not make myself clear. Your question was clear, and your observations correct. I meant to copy the original question here so that other people could understand what we were talking about. The purpose of having the Help Forum is that people can search, and refer to, other topics that cover their questions.

The recipe has been cleaned up for clarity per your suggestion.

How was that?

[armarm1]

I'm sorry if I'm being difficult I just really want the casserole to come out correctly it sounds sooo good.

So it should be corn MEAL instead of corn flour??? In purchasing the ingredients I found that corn MEAL and corn FLOUR are two totally different things.

And I still don't see where you state to put in the baking powder and the other 1/4 cup of raisins. Raisins are listed TWICE on the ingredients but only used ONCE in the directions.

[Aunt Clara]

Quote:

Originally Posted by armarm1 I'm sorry if I'm being difficult I just really want the casserole to come out correctly it sounds sooo good.

I understand. Let's see if I can help you.

Quote:

So it should be corn MEAL instead of corn flour??? In purchasing the ingredients I found that corn MEAL and corn FLOUR are two totally different things.

In the Dominican Rep. it would be corn flour, thus the confusion. I changed it to corn meal because that's how it's known abroad.

Quote:

And I still don't see where you state to put in the baking powder and the other 1/4 cup of raisins. Raisins are listed TWICE on the ingredients but only used ONCE in the directions.

The raisins were listed twice by mistake. I fixed it. You soak them with the cornmeal prior to starting. There isn't baking powder. Another mistake that I fixed in the recipe.

I appreciate a lot your help in cleaning up the recipe. Sometimes these errors creep up despite our effort.

Good luck with your pastelón!