– by Neil White (on my Kindle) – a really, really interesting book. It’s a memoir about the year the author spent in prison in Louisiana. About his sanctimonious attitude when he arrived there (he was convicted of kiting checks trying to keep his publishing business afloat) and what he learns during his year. But as much as it’s about his life as a prisoner, it’s more about the other residents of the prison – the last remaining lepers (Hansen’s Disease) who are provided for in the facility. Neil White is quite a character and I wondered more than once if he was ever going to “get it,” that he was greedy and egotistical. The book wasn’t published for about 10 years after his release, so at least he didn’t profit immediately by telling tales. The epilogue was so sad – listing the deaths of many of the leprosy patients and some of the inmates he came to call friends. One person at amazon commented that it was not worth reading because the author profited from his incarceration, and that he didn’t appear to have redeemed himself. I disagree – I think he did. If he didn’t, then he knows how to spin a good yarn. I choose to believe he learned a whole lot about himself and where his life took a (wrong) left turn, and that he’s trying to atone for his failings by publishing the book. You decide.
- by P.D. James (on my Kindle) – if I hadn’t read about this book in the Los Angeles Times a week or so ago I’d never have pursued this book. It’s nothing even close to her wealth of books of the mystery genre. But yes, it IS a mystery (not something I normally read) but it takes place about 5 years after Pride and Prejudice leaves off. That was the hook for me. An entertaining read and a way to keep in touch with all the lovable (and not-so) characters from Jane Austen’s classic. It’s not a page-turner in the true mystery-murder style, but it’s fun to read.
– by Judith Ryan Hendricks – I picked up this book at a lending library I use now and then. I have to laugh, though – the collection of books (probably numbering about 350 or so) is divided by paperback and hardback. And then by color. COLOR? I find that so ludicrous. But anyway, the title caught my eye. It’s definitely a novel, about a youngish woman who’s been a baker and a chef, but who is suddenly single. It’s about her struggle to find herself, to find a new rhythm of life. In the telling of the journey some recipes are included (baked goods, including bread-bread), which are available on the 
– by Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) – most everyone who reads blogs knows about Ree – the Pioneer Woman, from Pawhuska, Oklahoma. She’s always entertaining, whimsical and enjoyable to read. A couple of years ago she wrote a memoir of her romance with Ladd, her now husband. I can’t count how many times, as I was reading this, that I was LOLing (Laughing Out Loud). She is such a witty writer and knows how to tell a story. Even though I know she married Ladd and has since had 4 children, I was caught up in her story from the first page. I wrote it up in more detail on
– (on my Kindle) Michael Tucker (from L.A. Law some years ago) and his wife, on a whim almost, buy a home in Umbria. An old, old, old house with two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, I think, and a nice terrace (where a lot of living goes on in Italian homes and families). It’s the story of the purchase itself, the friends they meet, the neighbors, how Michael finds the best butcher(s), bakers and candlestick makers. It made me long for another trip to Italy, actually. They enlarge the home, although they’re not there for most of the construction. It’s a similar tale to Frances Mayes’ books and Peter Mayle’s books too, but it’s different. Tucker is a TV star; his wife’s a stage actress. They live on some higher plane than I do, for sure, with lots of friends with connections. But it’s a cute story and I enjoyed it clear to the end.
(Stacy Schiff); 
; and 
.
Oh, my heavenly gracious sake’s alive. This pudding. To die for. To eat, morning, noon and night, until it’s all gone. Every, single, solitary bite to savor. If I’m ever on death row (no, I’m not contemplating this – I’ve never been crosswise with the law), THIS bread pudding would be what I’d ask for as the dessert of my last dinner. I’d probably make myself ill eating too much of it.
I’m going to do something I normally don’t do here – I’m not going to tell you the calorie and fat count. Just know it’s bad for you. Really bad. Artery-clogging, heart-attack causing. All and everything about it. Will I make it? Well, yes, I probably will. But I’ll probably make even smaller portions. Phillis Carey said this dish would serve 8. I’ve already made it serve 10 in my recipe software. In the class I think the pan full served about 18, and with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, it would have been altogether enough. I craved more, however.
So what’s so artery-clogging about it? The 3 cups of heavy cream. And no, you can’t substitute even half and half. Or part half and half. Phillis made that very, VERY clear. The dish will curdle if you do. So don’t even try. The recipe uses raisin bread, first of all, then just ONE Granny Smith apple cubed, and a cup of dried apples chopped. And eggs, apple juice, brown sugar, butter, salt and cinnamon – and the heavy cream, of course. That’s all there is in it! But put it together and serve it with the apple cider (and brandy) sauce on the side, and you’ve got heaven on a bun.
printer-friendly PDF
Cinnamon, Raisin and Apple Bread Pudding
Recipe: From a cooking class with Phillis Carey
Servings: 10 (maybe 12-14)
BREAD PUDDING:
4 large eggs
3 cups heavy cream — (do not substitute anything here)
1 cup apple juice
1 cup golden brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter — melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 cups raisin bread — cubed, stale
1 whole Granny Smith apple — peeled, cubed (about 1 cup)
1 cup dried apples — (or substitute raisins)
SAUCE:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup apple juice
1/4 cup brandy
4 large egg yolks
1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter a 10×14 inch baking dish. Whisk eggs in a large bowl. Add the cream, apple juice, sugar, melted butter, salt and cinnamon, whisking to combine. Add the bread cubes, fresh and dried apples and stir to combine.
2. Pour into prepared dish. Cover and refrigerate for one hour. Remove cover and gently press down on the bread, so the creamy mixture will rise somewhat. Do not try to submerge the bread. Bake for one hour, or until the top is golden brown and the center of the pudding is firm. Remove and cool on a rack for 10 minutes before serving.
3. SAUCE: Melt butter in a double boiler over simmering water. Add the sugar and whisk to combine, stirring, for one minute. Add the cider and brandy, and whisk until sugar is dissolved, about two minutes. Remove from heat and add the egg yolks, one at a time, whisking constantly. Return to double boiler and cook, whisking constantly until sauce is pale and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
4. Allow to cool slightly, then pour sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to extract any egg white solids. Allow sauce to cool to room temp, if possible, before serving.
5. Cut squares of bread pudding, top with sauce and serve with vanilla ice cream on the side.
A year ago: Altitude Sickness (we were on vacation)
Leave a Comment!