Winter Desserts

Winter time here is cold, snowy, and not really easy on old bones. One of the ways to combat this, is making a good, hot, dessert. My Grandma made bread pudding because it was economical, hot, and a good way to use old bread.  All you need is a couple eggs, some milk, and a little fruit.  Of course, I jazz it up a bit by adding caramel sauce and ice cream.

Bread Pudding

3 cups torn bread
1 cup of milk
2 eggs slightly beaten
1/3 cup of sugar
1/3 cup of raisins (I like golden raisins)
1 tbsp orange zest
1 tsp of cinnamon
1/2 tsp of vanilla
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Tear up the bread and put it in a lightly greased pan with the raisins.  Whip together eggs, milk, sugar, orange zest, cinnamon and vanilla. Combine the egg mixture with the fruit and bread. Put it in the oven for about 30 - 35 minutes or until a butter knife inserted into the center of the dish comes out clean.

Let cool for 20 minutes, drizzle with caramel sauce, top with a small amount of vanilla ice cream and enjoy.

Posting Recipes

I'm a Grandmother, Mother, Sister, Aunt, and Niece, so you know I have food stories to tell.  Today I think I'll start with Andrea's Sangria.

Sangria for me takes me to Tarpon Springs, Florida.  My oldest daughter lived there for awhile and I visited once and fell in love with the Greek community and their focus on sponge diving.  While there I went to little restaurant called Mama's with my Aunt.  The two of us enjoyed pitchers of sangria while listening to the fisherman speak Greek and watching the boats come into port.  It was so much fun! So of course, I had to try and recreate my sangria moment.  

Andrea's Sangria

1/2 c. Cognac

3 c. Red or white wine

2 c. Fruit juice

1 sliced orange, lime, and lemon

1/2 c. Sliced strawberries

Put most of the fruit in the bottom of the pitcher. Save a little to garnish the glasses.

Pour cognac over the fruit let set for up to one day. Pour three cups of wine into the pitcher along with two cups of fruit juice. I like orange, pineapple and mango fruit juice, tastes more tropical. Refrigerate.

When ready to serve put a slice of lemon on the bottom of the glass, put in some ice add a slice of orange add more ice and put a slice of lime on the edge of the glass. Pour in sangria and enjoy!