Tablescapes, Home Decor, Thrifting, Cooking

Friday, January 21, 2011

Fabulous Bread Pudding with some Dishes thrown in for Fun

 

 

Entertaining in January comes with challenges.  Unless you decorate with snowmen (which I really don’t so much anymore) there really isn’t a color scheme to work with or napkins that seem to fit the season.  (I know ~~~ there are certainly BIGGER problems in this world of ours!)

 

I recently hosted a small group Bible Study in my home.  After our study we serve a dessert and we also have a variety of teas, coffees, and any other beverage a person might think about….again…it depends on the season.

 

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Pulling out my Red Transferware dishes seemed to be appropriate as we near February.

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I plan to prepare a Tablescape with these, some of my most favorite dishes one of these days soon.

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Okay, dishes decided upon ~~~ CHECK~~~  Now on to deciding what to serve for dessert!  Yikes!  We have some good cooks in this group and we take our desserts seriously! LOL!

 

I asked another group of friends if they had a favorite recipe and Jennifer came up with this idea:

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Emeril’s White Chocolate and Blueberry Pudding with Amaretto Cream Sauce

 

 

 

Ingredients

 

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus 2 tablespoons, melted
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 6 cups 1/2-inch cubes day-old bread
  • 6 ounces white chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1/2 cup dried blueberries
Amaretto Cream Sauce:
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup Amaretto liqueur
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Directions

For the Bread Pudding: Preheat the oven to 350 degree F. Butter a 10 by 14-inch baking dish with the softened butter. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Whisk in the cream, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Add the bread, chocolate, blueberries, and dried blueberries and stir well, then mix in the melted butter. Let sit for 30 minutes so the bread will absorb the egg mixture.

Pour into the prepared dish. Bake until firm when pressed in the center, about 1 hour. Cool on a wire rack until just warm, about 20 minutes.

For the Amaretto Cream Sauce: In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the Amaretto and whisk until smooth.

In a medium saucepan, scald cream over medium heat. Add the Amaretto slurry to the hot cream and whisking constantly, bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook, whisking for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and add the sugar. Whisk until dissolved. Let cool to room temperature before serving with the bread pudding.

Serves 8-10

 

Oh My Goodness!! Is this ever delicious!!!  I highly recommend you try this if you like bread pudding.  I did substitute some half and half for part of the heavy whipping cream.  I also think you could use almond extract in place of the Amaretto if you so choose.  I did not use any dried blueberries, only the one cup of fresh. My group of friends truly loved it and they all asked for the recipe.

 

Fitting right in with our Bible Study ~~ This was a bit of Heaven on Earth! Smile

Foodie_Friday_Logo_2I’m joining Michael and many other bloggers who are sharing recipes today.  Go on over and take a look at Foodie Friday.

 

We are studying “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” by Joanna Weaver. The first lesson was very good.  Have you read this book or been involved with the Study?

Donna

28 comments:

Unknown said...

Okay, you REALLY aren't helping me with my "no sweets" ban.

Miss Char said...

Donna, I read part of that book a couple of years ago, its still sitting on the night stand in my guest room. I had it with me one evening when I was eating out alone. I had it on the tray as I went through the restaurant line and the guy next to me ask if it was about Martha Stewart. I still chuckle over that one.

southerninspiration said...

Oh that looks so good, and everything looks so pretty...and yes, that's a very good study!
suzanne

Marlis said...

ooh this looks great. I will have to give this a try. I need a dessert for an event and this fits the bill perfectly. You are so right about how to decorate in January.. it's difficult at best. I love my red transferware and use it often. It always seems appropriate. thanks for dropping in with your kind comments. we will see how the chair works on saturday ;-)

Cathy said...

Your dessert looks so delicious! I've heard of the study, but never read the book.

Have a great weekend!

Lisa said...

That bread pudding sounds delish and your tableware is going to make for one lovely tablescape.

Jessa said...

Wow that cream sauce sounds wonderful! I like to decorate for 'winter' (whites, silver, snowflakes) after Christmas as we are normally snowed in and it just seems to feel right. But I am always sad to take down the Christmas decor, nothing seems as grand as Christmas. I have never read the 'Mary' book sounds intriguing!

Judi said...

Hi Donna
What perfect dishes for your bible group. I love transferware dishes and you're right that is a perfect colour....keeping Valentine's in mind. Sweet.
I am definately going to try the bread pudding. I think bread pudding is so delicious and this one with blueberries and chocolate sounds soooo good.

It sounds like a nice gathering...
*hugs*
Judi

Unknown said...

Thanks for your visit. I've just visited you and what a neat blog!! Makes me hungry! I'll be back soon!

MrsJenB said...

Oh, I just love bread pudding. It's one of my favorites, I can never pass it up when I see it on the menu for sure. :-)

Thanks for sharing @ Foodie Friday!

Paula@SweetPea said...

This recipe sounds delicious! I'm sure your friends really enjoy it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Donna! Oh, I love your pretty dishes and how you've set everything up. Now look at that dessert! Oh, my Lord, give me strength!! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Julie said...

Delicious looking pudding. Love the flavors. Thanks for stopping by my blog!!

e-Mom said...

Oh, you have such a beautiful blog. Your artistic eye is abundantly evident! Emeril's recipe sounds divine.

No, I haven't done the study you mentioned, although I've heard of it. So glad you enjoyed the first lesson.

Nice to meet you Donna!

Blessings,

e-Mom @ Susannah's {Kitchen}
http://susannahskitchen.com

P.S. Come visit me at my other blog "Chrysalis" some time--you'll find Bible study and books over there. ღ

http://chrysaliscafe.com

Laura said...

Oh my gosh.
Amaretto sauce?
How delicious that must be.
I love your dishes- I have Old Britain Castles in the red and I love it.

Laura
White Spray Paint

Anonymous said...

Now that's a fancy bread pudding and sounds delicious. I made home made chicken pot pies this morning and a dessert that I received back in the Fall. Made with a box of plain old yellow cake mix and a can of pumpkin. The house smelled "heavenly" this morning. Hope it taste as good! :)

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Your dishes are so pretty and the pudding looks wonderful too!

Luncheons at the Junction said...

Hi Donna! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and leaving such a sweet comment. I found that Waverly tablecloth at Ross Stores - and it was a steal - only $7.99!! It would look lovely with your Red transferware. Seeing yours makes me want to start collecting them!
Stay warm! Brrrrr. More snow predicted for NJ this week! yikes.

Tootsie said...

oh boy does that look good! too good!!! lol
glad I can't eat it off the screen...or my sweats would be the only pants that fit! lol
love those plates too!!! hope you have a fantastic week friend...take care!

Sue said...

I'm all for trying anything with a little "kick" to it for flavoring! My own bread pudding recipe has bourbon! LOL This sounds wonderful with the blueberries in it! I love seeing your red transferware. I wish I could find a set, or even a few pieces, for that matter. There has been nothing in any shops for as long as I have been looking. And I refuse to pay the high prices that some of our estate sale businesses charge around here. So, I guess I'll just drool over yours....
♥ Sue

Michelle said...

Yum....sounds perfect for these cold winter days!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Donna! Red transferware and bread pudding...what else could you ask for! lol Two of my favorite things! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

Mary Ann Pickett said...

My mouth is watering...what about my diet? What diet?
Think I will make it for my mom's birthday.
Mary Ann

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Donna, your bread pudding sounds soooo good and it looks absolutely yummy. I will definitely have to try this one. Love your pretty transferware also, so lovely. I havn't done that Bible study,but I am sure it is wonderful Hugs, Marty

Rettabug said...

"Heaven on Earth" ~~cute pun!
Thanks for sharing both your pretty dishes (I don't have ANY transferware :*(

Also thanks for the recipe, too. I'm saving it for a future sewing group's visit.

bj said...

I love bread pudding with a passion and so does my handsome, smart, funny, wonderful, handsome (o, did I say that already?) son. I plan to make this and take it to our home fellowship gathering. They are gonna think I am SUCH a great cook. haha..

campwandawega said...

I love this dinnerware....it has such an antique feel to it.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh, this looks great! Love your pink dishes, the mugs are so pretty, they go so well. The picher is darling too.

LOVE
FABBY