Tuesday, December 2, 2008

219. Recipe in Rhyme Three: Bread Pudding



Short-cuts are sometimes inferior to the real thing, but this substitute for Christmas Pudding is not only quicker and cheaper but it is also equally delicious.




BREAD PUDDING





There may be other folk around who like to take short cuts.
Who like to get things done at speed without the ifs or buts.
If so I'm here to show you how you can compromise a bit,
And make a 'sort-of' recipe that will always be a hit.
I speak of Christmas Pudding; I know it tastes sublime,
But it keeps you in the kitchen and takes up a lot of time.
Last year we had a barbecue, so we were far from formal,
And my succulent Bread Pudding was delicious and quite normal.
So let me fill-you in on what a Bread Pudding's about
You'll feel relaxed and much less taxed, of that there is no doubt.
Gently heat two cups of milk, be careful how they warm,
Watch the saucepan carefully; a delicate film will form.
Now you must add the butter, that's the golden rule,
And when it's melted in the milk allow the lot to cool.
Cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, eggs  (without the shells, not whole!),
Must be added with vanilla in another mixing bowl.
Whisk together for one minute and then quickly add the milk.
This batter should be creamy and as smooth as any silk.
Now butter a shallow casserole, to stop your pudding sticking.
All this is fast, you'll be surprised at how slow the clock is ticking!
Into a casserole place the bread, all torn up nice and small,
Then pour your lovely batter evenly over all.
Sprinkle with dried fruit, of course, some peel is extra good
And dabs of butter on the top make a really golden pud.
Bake in a moderate oven for an hour or maybe less
Then take it out and sniff the gorgeous fruits of your success.
It smells like a Christmas Pudding, it tastes just like one too!
So you don't need to apologise (oh well, that's up to you.)
Serve it cut in tasty squares with custard or with cream,
And you'll get compliments, I know, from everyone on your team!
I doubt if there will be much left; they'll soon put it away,
But should there be a square or two use the microwave next day.
You'll be free of tension with this easy recipe
So go and join the others around the Christmas Tree!



Ingredients
2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups bread, torn into small pieces (french bread works best)
1/2 cup dried fruit

5 comments:

Mari Meehan said...

I'm going to try a new wrinkle for Christmas dinner. Will rice bread pudding to go with prime rib. Does that work?

*~sis~* said...

what a fun way to write a recipe...and i LOVE bread pudding (kids eat it if there's chocolate chips)....yummy! :)

Anonymous said...

I used to love 'bread-and-butter' pudding and when I checked my mother's little recipe book, there it was, Bread Pudding! All she had written down were some ingredients, so your poetic how-to will be preserved and cherished. Thank you. Alas, I do not think our American born grandchildren will go for it, or the Christmas pudding, which my son and daughter, also born in America, think is the weirdest of deserts. So, my English born daughter-in-law and I are the only ones who will steam our Cross and Blackwell tubs of suet, and all the other tasty bad ingredients, afterwards adding a dash of Ben and Jerry's vanilla ice cream laced with brandy.

Bear Naked said...

Oh my!
I haven't had bread pudding for almost 50 years.
Thanks for the reminder and the recipe.

Bear((( )))

Kat said...

Today morning, before me and my wife went for our morning walk/jog - I was showing off to her this 'bread pudding' poem..!!! She was so impressed. May get it someday :))))