Month: March 2016

Simple Bread Pudding Recipe

Recipes, Uncategorized

Ok friends, I’m on a “what to do with your leftover food that’s about to go bad” kick! This week I’m tackling that stale bread that’s been sitting in the kitchen with no place to go. Enter: delicious bread pudding. Here’s a recipe I frankensteined together from a few classics (links below). This recipe is simple, quick and delicious. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS: 

1/2 loaf stale bread (Italian, challah, brioche, etc)

2 cups milk (I use whole milk, but you can use any variation)

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened

4 beaten eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Ingredients for the sauce (optional):

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1 egg beaten

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 cup brandy

bread pudding in the making

Let the pouring begin!

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grease a 9-inch pan.
  3. Cut the bread into cubes and disperse evenly in the baking pan.
  4. MIX together the granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, eggs and milk in a bowl. Add vanilla.  Pour over your cubed bread and let it sit for 10 minutes.
  5. In another bowl, MIX the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, butter and pecans (it should look like a crumble).
  6. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the top and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the custard is set (it should still be a little wobbly, but the edges should be brown).
  7. Remove from the oven.

Directions for the sauce:

  1. MIX together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, egg and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir together until sugar is melted. Add the brandy and stir well.
  2. Pour over the bread pudding.
  3. Eat it like no one is watching.
bread pudding 3

Dude, it’s delicious.

This recipe is the love child of  Paula Deen & NY Times Cooking Section

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe

Recipes, Uncategorized

Need something to do with those bananas that have pretty much gone bad? Well, look no further! This quick, easy and healthy recipe is your answer. I was skeptical at first because banana bread is hard to master, but I promise this one is worth it. Enjoy!

 

Prep time:  10 minutes / Cook time:  55 minutes / Total time:  1 hour 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

⅓ cup melted coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil

½ cup honey or maple syrup

2 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas (about 2½ medium or 2 large bananas)

¼ cup milk of choice or water

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more to swirl on top

1¾ cups whole wheat flour or coconut flour

Optional: ½ cup mix-ins like chopped walnuts or pecans, chocolate chips, raisins, chopped dried fruit, fresh banana slices, Nutella, etc. Go crazy!

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees (165 degrees Celsius) and grease a 9×5-inch baking pan.
  2. Melt your OIL (either coconut or EVOO)
  3. MIX: In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and honey.
  4. Add the eggs and beat well, then whisk in the mashed bananas and milk.
  5. Add the baking soda, vanilla, salt and cinnamon, and whisk to blend.
  6. Add the flour (it might be lumpy and that’s ok!)
  7. Add any of your optional mix-ins.
  8. Pour the batter into your greased pan.
  9. BAKE: for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Due to differing oven temperatures, times will vary. Mine was done in 45 minutes.
  10. Let the bread cool in the baking pan for 10 minutes. Then eat up!
banana bread 1.jpg

Yummy yummy in your tummy