Making Dulce de Leche

Cleanse and prepare the nail by removing any debris or residue, then use it to create two small perforations on opposite sides of the top of a can containing sweetened condensed milk. Set the nail aside.

Next, place the can with the holes into a small saucepan and add water to fill it nearly to the top. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil; then, decrease the heat to a low simmer. Allow the milk to cook for 3 to 4 hours, during which time it will gradually darken in color and thicken significantly. As the mixture boils down, periodically add more water to maintain its level.

Once the cooking time has elapsed, carefully remove the lid from the can and transfer the dulce de leche to a bowl. Using a whisk, gently break up any lumps that may have formed and mix the thicker caramel residue from the bottom of the can into the remaining syrup.