Daffodils to Rum Sauce

Spring is beginning to wake up

in New Hampshire In this past week the daffodils have begun to bloom,

other tender young green vegetation is beginning

to show the tops of their heads...

I think the rain is about over for a few days...

If we are to believe WMURs weatherman.

and I look forward to some warmer

sunny days for the weekend!

At the beginning of the week

the blues tried their darnedest

to drape heavily across my shoulders

But, I "cowgirled" up...

pulled up on my boots straps

and showed the "moody blues" the door!

Using a little craft therapy

followed by

baking of the ultimate comfort food,

and a wonderful "prize" from Michael,

the clouds have dissipated and a sunny disposition

has come to visit once more!

Crafting a new spring wreath

to take place of the Easter egg wreath..

next to go will be the bunny

or as our youngest Michael would say

"Rabbit"

***

Through the years I have cultivated

a love affair with bread pudding..

the original bread pudding with a whiskey sauce...

Over time it has been made a multitude of ways ..

with different fruits, berries, meats or vegetables...

but, I always long for the basic original...

So what else was a woman to do..

well, yeah..

besides take a trip to

New Orleans

but, gather the ingredients and make

a bread pudding...

As I plundered Michael's private stock

and finally put through a call

to the "one that knows", asking if

"this or that"

could be construed as the same thing

as "something" called by an entirely different

name...

O.K. so there was NO plain old

Kentucky bourbon whiskey

in the house...

How can you make whiskey sauce without whiskey?

Not wanting to venture forth,

with my recipe book in tow under my arm,

not looking forward to meeting and interviewing

a stranger at a liquor store

about the contents, sizes and best buys

of some kind of "whiskey"

I set about pondering...

what to do..

I have found over our extended stay

in New Hampshire that I most

thoroughly enjoy the taste of

"Rum raisin " ice cream...

Now, did I not see some rum in that mans cabinet?

So forging ahead

and substituting rum for whiskey,

and nutmeg for allspice...

the

"Rum Raisin Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce"

was an absolute winner!!!

Michael has begun to query out loud about

what all he could cover with

or dip into the sauce!

in case you are interested...

"Rum Raisin Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce"

Bread pudding

• 1 loaf french bread, cut into 1 inch -1 1/2 pieces, (about 6 or 7 cups)
  
• 1 qt. milk (whole milk)
  
• 3 eggs
  
• 2 cups sugar
  
• 2 Tbsp vanilla
  
• 1 cup raisins (soaked over night in about 1/4c of rum)
  
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg..(there about)
  
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  
• 3 Tbsp butter, melted

Rum Sauce

• 1/2 cup butter (melted)
  
• 1cup sugar
  
• 1 egg
  
• 1/2 cup rum...(add enough to what is left over from soaking the raisins)
  

1. Preheat oven to 350
   
2. In a large bowl ,soak bread in milk.
3. push up you sleeves and put your hands in there..
4. "Moosh"up all the bread until well mixed and all the milk is absorbed..

In a separate bowl, beat eggs ,sugar, vanilla, and spices together.

Gently stir into bread mixture..
Gently stir in raisins..
reserving the left over rum

with melted butter coat inside of a

9x13 baking pan...

(here I decided on ramekins)

coat bottom and sides bake 35-45 minutes,

or until set.

The pudding is done when the edges

start getting a bit brown and begin

to pull away from the pan.

(took 52 minutes in ramekins & this oven)

Rum Sauce

In a sauce pan melt butter;

add sugar and egg, whisking constantly

over low heat,

until mixture thickens.

Whisk in rum , to taste...

(it smelled like plenty at 1/2c..and was good)

Remove from heat and let cool.

Whisk again before serving.

Plate pudding,

drizzle with sauce,

and let a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream

share the limelight.

this recipe comes with warnings..

• your eyes may roll back in your head
• involuntary moaning has been exhibited
• uncontrollable lip smacking can pursue
• down in the dump blues may be thwarted

Also not at all suggested for those that

show evidence of a weak pancreas

***

This weeks biggest and "bestest" blues buster is still to

be unveiled..

o keep this in mind when in a couple of weeks

new pictures are posted

with results of Michael's therapy program!!!!

***

Why is it when you are driving and looking for an address,

you turn the radio down?