Canned Laughter

Angela had a brilliant idea. It’s the First Annual Fluid Pudding BreadPuddingAlong! The idea is simple. A lot of us get the Spring Blues (myself included) and we crave comfort food. Since nothing is more comforting that an old fashioned bread pudding, she proposed that we all make one this past weekend.  Here’s how it went down at my house:

“Honey, where’s the Bourbon? I’m making a Bread Pudding!”

“We’re out.”

“Oh. Well I guess I can substitute Scotch or Rye.”

“We’re out. There is no Whiskey in the house.”

“How can that be?”

He gives me a long look.

“Oh. Heh, heh.”

“I’d go get some, but the liquor stores are closed on Sunday.  Sorry you can’t make the pudding.”

“You underestimate me, My Dear.”

So here is the recipe for my off-the-cuff, born of necessity, absolutely scrumptious,

Orange Rum Bread Pudding

• 6 cups cubed stale Italian or French Bread
• 1 Apple, peeled, cored & shredded
• 1 cup Raisins
• 3 large Eggs
• 1 cup Sugar
• 2 cups Milk
• grated zest of 1 Orange
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
• Pinch of Salt
• Butter to grease casserole
• Orange Rum Sauce

1. Toss Bread, Apple and Raisins in a large bowl. Set aside.
2. Beat Eggs until frothy. Gradually add Sugar while continuing to beat.
3. Add Milk, Orange Zest, Vanilla, Nutmeg and Salt.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
5. Generously butter 2 quart casserole.
6. Turn bread mixture into buttered casserole.
7. Pour egg mixture evenly over bread mixture.
8. Place casserole in larger pan on oven rack. Pour about an inch of boiling water into the outer pan.
   
9. Bake for 45 minutes.
10. Serve with Orange Rum Sauce while still warm. Serves 8.

Orange Rum Sauce

• 1/4 cup Water
• 1/2 cup firmly packed Light Brown Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon Triple Sec, Cointreau or other Orange Liquer
• 1/4 cup Light Rum
• 1-1/2 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 2 Tablespoons Butter

1. In a small saucepan over Medium heat, stir together Water, Sugar and Nutmeg. Bring to a boil.
2. Combine Rum, Orange Liquer and cornstarch, blending smooth.  Stir into the Sugar mixture. Cook until thickened.
3. Blend in butter until melted.  Makes 1-1/2 cups.

Now if that doesn’t comfort you, nothing will!