Monday, June 25, 2012

Mark Bittman's Bread Pudding...and Giveaway!

Perfect bread pudding, right out of the oven!
There's a saying..."what you see, is what you get"...or a favorite of mine...IT IS, WHAT IT IS!...When life gives you lemons; you make LEMONADE...When your son brings you a homemade beautiful round Challah bread with raisins, from a Kosher kitchen...that has been blessed by a Rabbi...you eat half, freeze the other half...and make the best Bread Pudding...ever!
Linking to:
Hearth and Soul Blog Hop @Zesty South Indian Kitchen
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage 
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherines Corner 

Not only did I feel blessed, but comforted...knowing, that this bread will be best, used  for french toast, or make a fabulous bread pudding...not just any old recipe, but my most favorite, trustworthy Mark Bittman's
"How to Cook Everything" Simple Recipes for Great Food!...don't expect pretty photos, and illustrations in this 944 page of a bright yellow soft covered book (comes in hard cover, as well)...you can certainly order this on Amazon, and get it for a great price, but mine was also NEW, which I purchased 2 years ago at Goodwill for 79 cents...a price which is no longer available for soft covered books. Today, it would cost me $4.00 even at Goodwill...but then you can probably get this at Amazon for the same price, and pay $3.99 for shipping. It's still a great bargain...either way!
I don't recall bragging so much about any cookbook, as I am totally in love with this one. I have managed to take it home several times...only, to find it back here at my daughter's house because we are both sharing the book.

This is how it goes...you decide to make a great dish, dessert, breads, anything your heart desires...you will find a simple version of it in this book; it virtually is, like a Bible...next, you go online, if you want to compare other similar recipes, and even find photos of it, and start comparing and creating it to your needs...but don't be "stingy"...be a friend, and mention the source! I can relate to your own creation of a fairly simple 'staple' recipe which do not require a source...but let's face it. We are not 'Martha Stewart'...or 'Giada'...or 'Nigella'...we don't have a cooking show, or have our own 'food magazine' like Martha Stewart...LIVING, which by the way, is one of my all-time favorite cooking magazines, next to Bon Appetit!
...but, you never know! Dreams can become a reality! You can become the next Food Channel 'cooking star'...or can go on T.V.'s CHOPPED program...and get yourself 'chopped off' after the first 'brutal challenge'...or, become the winner and take home the $10,000. which is not EASY!

I'm getting way off the subject here. I will share 2 recipes with you...the other, which I promised is my 'staple' banana bread recipe...and I do repeat...'staple'..because, both Lora and I make this once or twice a week, without consulting a recipe...just have it memorized after all these years, and totally cut down on the 1970's overload of sugar, and oil that they used in basic recipes. When I see a banana bread recipe posted with 1 cup of oil, and 2 or more cups of sugar, I just want to scream...NO, NO...you're killing us! (well, just a little dramatization of it) but seriously, who needs all that cholesterol and sugar, and most of the time with the overload of 'butter'...and let's not even go there...we all know what happened with Paula Deen; don't get me wrong, I love her dearly, and all her creative recipes, and her Southern "y'all" charm. We just need to stay, or get healthy, that's all!

Bread Pudding
adapted from: How to Cook Everything 
by, Mark Bittman

3 cups of milk, (I used low-fat)
4 Tbsp.=1 1/2 sticks butter, plus extra  for greasing the pan. (I used cooking spray to grease pan)
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cups sugar plus 1 Tbsp.
pinch of salt
8 thick slices of white bread, crust removed
(I used leftover Challah)
3 eggs ( I used 4)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Over low heat in a small saucepan warm the milk, butter 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 cup sugar, Just until butter melts. Butter, or spray an 8x8 square glass baking dish, or a casserole dish that can fit 1 1/2 quarts.

Cut or tear the bread in bite-size pieces (as in upper photo) and pour the milk mixture over it. ( I sprinkled the cinnamon, salt, and sugar, directly on the bread cubes, did not add in the milk mixt. to heat up)

Let the milk mixture sit for a few minutes, submerging
any pieces of bread that rise to the top.










Beat the eggs lightly, and pour over the bread mixture, stirring gently, being careful not to disturb the bread pieces. Mix together the 1 Tbsp sugar with the 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and sprinkle over the top.








This is how the mixture should look like...now, you are ready to bake it.









Bake 45 minutes...no longer than 1 hr. Center will be just a little wobbly, but it will settle as it cools a little.
Serve warm, or cold, with maple syrup, whipped, cream, or just plain powdered (icing sugar)

For chocolate pudding: Melt 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate with the milk, and butter, and proceed as above.

For Apple-Raisin filling: Add 1 cup peeled, grated, and drained apples, and 1/ cup or more raisins to the mixture, along with the eggs.

Elisabeth's Banana Bread

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cane sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup low-fat milk
3 rip bananas mashed
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray, set aside. In a large bowl, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix together. In a medium bowl, mash the bananas with a potato masher, or fork, and add the sugars to it; stir to combine. In a small bowl, mix together the eggs with the oil, and milk, beating with a fork, or whip just to combine well. Add the bananas mixture to the flour, and pour the egg mixture over the top...stir to combine.
Stir 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips into the batter; spoon into the loaf pan, and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the top. Bake for 30 minutes @ 350 degrees F.  Lower the temperature to 325 degrees, and bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on rack, and it will release easily from pan, after it cools down slightly.

note:
This is my very own "tried and true" recipe, and it is 'fail proof' ...you must add the ingredients just the way I have it written, in that order, and also for the temperature, and time baked. For the sugar, you can use just white sugar instead both kinds, but increase to sugar to 1 cup. You can also substitute by adding equal amount of whole wheat flour to equal amount un-bleached all purpose flour. You can add raisins, chopped nuts, cranberries, dried cherries, or any kind of dried fruits. I would not recommend fresh chopped fruit, they will add too much moisture and make the bread soggy!

...one more thing; I just recently received this special back order issue, for my 2yr Blog Anniversary giveaway.
I have not heard from anyone if you are in interested in my special giveaway of the 100yrs of American cooking edition, which came out in 1999. I love this special issue, and kept the magazine for 13 years now, using some of the best recipes...ever!

Back in 1999, it cost $3.95...I back ordered a special order...brand new one, plastic sealed edition...which cost $12.99 (still a thrift price) for something so special..the shipping was (that's where they get you) another $3.99, well worth it!

Are you going to miss out on this giveaway gift that has century old culinary stories, including the famous Amircan Apple Pie that debuted in 1900, the famous Coca Cola, in the late 1899,  the famous Betty Crocker in the late 1930's, Julia Child in the early 1950's famous movie stars, our very own American Mac n' Cheese, with updated old recipes...just look at the famous American list of products that our known all over the world, and when they debuted!

Hostess Twinkies (1930)
Snickers (1930)
Bisquick (1931)
Fritos Corn Chips (1932)
Skippy Peanut Butter (1932)
Campbell's Chicken Noodle
and Cream of Mushroom  Soups (1932)
Ritz Crackers (1934)
Five Flavors Life Savers (1935)
Kraft Miracle Dressing (1935)
Kix Cereal (1937)
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinner (1937)
Pepperidge Farm Bread (1937)
Spam (1937)
Lawry's Season Salt (1938)
Lay's Potato Chips (1938)
Nestle's Crunch bars (1939)

There's a lot more to mention...and the most popular of them all is the famous OREOS that just recently celebrated its 100 years in America and is now, famous, and well liked all over the world! Now, isn't this something for us to be proud of that's American?
...and don't forge the JELL-O which has been around since 1897...and took America by the storm in the 1920's...and making a comeback now, after declining since the late 80's.

...one more item...(among tons of others) THE CANDY MAN
who can forget the ever so famous HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE BARS?
Founded by Milton Hershey, in 1900...his chocolate was so well known an famous, by 1906, he got the town named after him!
So, there you have just some of the famous century information, along with photos and updated old recipes, and new ones, as well!
It's a whopping double issue of 254 pages, compared to this July grilling issue of Bon Appetit, of 122 pages. that costs you $4.99 an issue, if you don't have a subscription, which I've had for over 20 years!

I'm repeating this giveaway gift...just let me know if you would like it...no strings attached...but if you don't mention something about this amazing issue, then I will assume you're not interested in winning this!



 
OK...gotta go now. Luigi the little precious Chihuahua ...and Stella (not pictured) are hungry, and so am I...so let me hear from you...until then, have a wonderful Monday, Tuesday at some places...we're getting a tropical storm, rain, rain...and more rain!
xo
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47 comments:

Marina said...

Send some of that rain our way, please! We need one badly... That bread pudding looks so deliciously good! I never have enough white bread to make it. On Saturday I baked two loafs and it's almost gone, teenager can't have enough of it... :)

Kati said...

Rég nem jártam nálad. Az az igazság, hogy másnál sem. Licensz vizsgára készültem, dolgozatot írtam.
Ilyen kenyérpudingot még sosem ettem,csak hasonló kenyér felfújtat, de sós formában.
Nekem tetszik ez a könyv, ahogy írtad, sok érdekesség lehet benne. Igaz én nem tudok jól angolul, de a Párom igen, biztos lefordítaná nekem:)

trollanyu said...

Imádom a kenyérpuddingot, a maradék kalácsból nálunk mindig ez készül. Apósom jön nemsokára Skóciából, neki a kedvence, biztos meg fogom vele lepni:)A könyv nagyon szuper lehet, persze, hogy érdekelne, nagyon érdekes lehet, én örülnék neki:)
Sajnos itt is esik igaz nem trópisi vihar, de már nagyon elegem van belőle. Szép hetet kívánok neked a kutyusokkal:)

Lyndsey said...

Well now you know what to get Laura for Christmas, or birthday! I am still looking at goodwill,was only able to pick up Barefoot Contessa, two Nigella Lawson books, and Macella Cucina cook books. Still looking for Bittmans. I have never made bread pudding, I am afraid it might be too custardy for me. I do like breakfast casseroles and French toast...I guess I'll just have to put my "big girl" panties on and try it! I have used my mom's banana bread recipe for years, but i am willing to try Elisabeth's Banana bread. I like the chocolate chips in it.

BTW, So you are getting this weather on your side of the state too? Debby is taking her sweet time moving on, what a bother! It's crazy here, we have been without rain for so long, now we have coastal flood warnings, tropical storm watch, high surf warnings, and rain for days now. At least the sun peaked out for a couple of hours, but the rain just stared up again. My beautiful Siesta beach is being swept put to sea! It knocked over two banana trees, and our large cactus, our elephant ears, and I hope not much more. I am not used to not seeing the sun! Take care Elisabeth and stay dry! :)

Rosemary said...

Hope you're safe . . I (in PA)had to call my daughter in Tampa (who was driving from St. Pete at the time) to tell her there was a storm! How can a smart, grown-up woman be so oblivious!!!
Thanks for the no-fail banana bread recipe. I've tried several and they're all different and all disappointing.
I, too, love Mark Bittman's book and I love the Bon Appetit salute to all those iconic foods.

Ttrockwood@yahoo.com said...

I dont need to enter the contest-
I just had to agree wih your adoration of mark bittman! Im vegetarian and his "how to cook everytbing vegetarian" is awesome! Even if you arent veg its a great resource for how to cook every/any veg there is and also has lots of recipes for grains and Pastas- now both of his books are available as iphone apps!
The banana bread recipe looks amazing, i just set aside a few bananas- now just have to wait for them to ripen!

Pegasuslegend said...

You would make anyone a bread pudding love with these photos Wow! the pooch is adorable!

Balvinder Ubi said...

....and share some with friends.
Now that I have already used bananas in baking I know how delicious this bread is going to be.
Your give away is worth having it but I am double minded if it even have any gluten free recipe. Converting every regular recipe to a gluten free one is time consuming.

Jane said...

Wonderful post Elisabeth! I've already copied these recipes into my folder and plan to try both of them out. Bread pudding is fabulous comfort food & I can imagine the leftover Challah bread made it extra special. Banana bread is a huge favourite of mine - I always keep an ongoing supply of very ripe bananas in my freezer - I use my mom's tried and true recipe, but have no qualms of trying out another - it's very similar, in fact. Have you ever tried coconut in yours? It's very yummy. Luigi is adorable :)

Kathy said...

Great post, Elizabeth! Love bread pudding and yours looks fabulous! I always make mine with just any bread I have left over…I am going to have to buy some Challah…I’m sure it makes this dish extra special! Love Lora’s cute little doggie….what a cute name! Have a great day!!

Words Of Deliciousness said...

The bread pudding and the banana bread looks divine. I have never made bread pudding before, but do occasionally make banana bread.

Ola said...

Can you believe I have never eaten a pudding?:)
I would love to get the edition

Blog about life and travelling
Blog about cooking

ping said...

Ooooh .... I was eyeing Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything" book at the bookstore the other day and it costs about USD50!! I think I'll wait and just let you make his recipes and I'll pinch them from here :) Shhh ....
I'm totally interested in the giveaway issue (didn't know I had to mention it, thought a comment was fine). I'm missing the US very much and remembering the things I used to love to eat and trying to replicate some of them (sometimes quite unsuccessfully due to quality of the ingredients we get here or different grades, esp the beef. US beef is blinking expensive here).
Throw in that yummy bread pudding and banana cake too! :D
I'm definitely making that one ... the banana cake. I'm never tired of banana cake.

simple baking said...

Lovely ramblings Elisabeth and Luigi is So cute. Cuddle him tightly from me and give lotsa mwaaaaahs on his cutsie nose.
Oh and the bread pud looks so comforting and inviting. I want to dig my spoon in right now.
Have a nice day dear!

Priya said...

So tempting and droolworthy pudding, simply inviting.

Mari said...

It looks delicious! This is one of my favorite desserts. I'll save some challah next time, to do this recipe just as you did. Luigi es "precioso".

Hugs

Angie's Recipes said...

Both bread pudding and banana bread look great, esp. the bread pudding..droolworthy!
I am a fan of Bon Appetit recipes!

Quay Po Cooks said...

My Quay Lo love bread pudding but I am not a big fan. I am sure he will love me long time if I make this for him. LOL! The only challenge is whether I can get it to look like mouth watering delicious like yours. The doggie is so cute. I want to hold him. It has been a long time since I made banana cake. I want to try your recipe. Thanks for sharing. Hugs.

Sissi said...

Elisabeth, I had to check who is Paula Deen. Now I understand your joke ;-) I love you low-fat and low-sugar banana bread because for me most cakes and sweets are simply too sweet. There are some desserts where butter is not negotiable (like - in my opinion- for example sweet tart crust), but I always cut down on fat amounts in more "floury" cakes or custards or other desserts, which even taste better with less fat content.
The pudding looks extraordinary and thanks to your encouragement it might be the first bread pudding I make (and taste because I have never tasted it!). Thank you for the review too. I will go and see if I can buy this book.
Thank you for the giveaway! It's so kind of you to organise it. I don't know if living in Switzerland doesn't exclude me, but I would be thrilled to be the lucky one. It sounds like an extraordinary collection of the magazine recipes (the magazine I have only heard about...).

Swathi Iyer said...

Elisabeth,

Bread pudding and your banana bread looks delicious.I too make banana bread most often, you know I learned baking with banana bread.

I like Mark bittman's cook book. It is always simple and easy to cook.

Owning a .com is no extra advantage. But more of mental satisfaction of having own a website.

Swathi Iyer said...

Elisabeth,

Thanks for linking this delicious bread pudding to Hearth and Soul blog Hop.

The loaf pan size is 9" x 4" x 3", 1.5 lb. commercial loaf pan

http://www.redstaryeast.com/products/carols-club%C2%AE

Vimitha Anand said...

The pudding looks so yummy.. Would be perfect with some icecream. Happy to follow ur lovely space. Do stop by when u find time
My culinary Trial room

Pacheco Patty said...

I love bread pudding but never make it at home and I know it's a wonderful dessert to serve to family and friends! Your bread pudding looks so delicious, I should try your recipe, love the step by step photos you've shared Elisabeth;-)

Veronica's Kitchen said...

I haven't got a good recipe for banana bread yet and I have bookmarked yours! I would love to enter the giveaway as I love to learn more American cooking. We were coming to America for holiday this year but had to postpone it due to other issue, so I need to wait patiently till the next chance.

Veronica's Kitchen said...

and congrats on the 2nd years of wonderful blogging, sharing your food and lifestyle with us!

Cucina49 said...

I love Mark Bittman and have never been able to resist bread pudding. Challah makes the very best ones--a great use for it!

lena said...

hi elisabeth, i must tell you that i was not interested at bread pudding at all before, giving me the soaked bread impression not until i tried it at one of the hotels here for breakfast..yum! love that. I hope to make my own bread pudding one day..oops, not my own recipe of course and i think i still need to refer to some recipes, i'm no martha stewart or paula deen..LOL! unless it's a home cooked chinese dish, then it;s different. Thanks so much for sharing your banana cake recipe here, i'm just not tired of collecting banana cake recipes as i enjoy eating them a lot! Yeah, would be great if i cld own a copy of the bon appetit issue!

ogyep yummy mellow said...

Hi.. very tempting bread pudding and banana cake u posted..

waht a colourful space u have here.. do drop by at my space anytime..

Paula said...

Not entering the giveaway. Just wanted to say how gorgeous that bread pudding looks and made with Challah...it must have been delicious. Lovely looking banana bread too and little Luigi! Give him a nice few scratches behind his ears and a few for Stella too...from me ;)

P.S. Hope the storms don't do too much damage. Stay safe.

SKIP TO MALOU said...

What a great looking pudding. Perfect for coffee or tea. I know it's been storming over there in FL and I know how "bad" it could go (I've lived in FL for 6 years!)
Stay safe... you know what's so funny. I saw your comment notification on my blog today and opps I thought I lost it... and guhhh i was looking for it... but Irealized you commented on the Friday post. I think I posted my new blogpost and you commented at the same time haha.
Ok my thoughts are worst than the winds in a storm... it runs so fast, my fingers are too slow to type them haha.
stay safe mi amiga!
malou

Gizi said...

Kedves Elisabeth, szégyellem magam, mert kicsit elhanyagoltam a bloglátogatásokat és a kommenteléseket,de most végre összeszedem magam és megint naponta benézek hozzád is. Nagyon sok finomságot készítettél, és nem is tudom melyiket szeresem jobban. Ezt a kenyérpudingot most bizony nagyon szívesen megkóstolnám.(na és persze a szendvicset, meg azt a csodálatos epertortát......)Leveled megkaptam, és hamarosan küldöm a választ. Vigyázz magadra, puszillak.

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

I've never had or made bread pudding before but thanks to food blogs I visit I get to learn how to make this! Sounds pretty easy to make, which I didn't know. Also your banana bread has chocolate chips? Wow I bet my kids would love that!! :-)

Katalin said...

Ismét gyönyörű finomságokat készítettél. Ilyen pudingkenyeret még nem ettem, de szívesen megkóstolnám, mert nagyon jól néz ki!

Amelia said...

Hi Elisabeth, I'm interested in your giveaway gift. The book sure look good and interesting.

I love both the bread pudding and banana bread.It look extremely good, I love all type of banana cakes. I'm currently infected with bananas fever.... hahaha being using banana for the pass 3 posting.

Have a nice day, regards. With a big cyber hugs to you.

Swathi Iyer said...

Elisabeth,

If you make a cake can you link to my event Favorite recipes event: Cakes

Lizzy said...

Of course I'd love to win the Bon Appetit American Century in Food...I'm a huge BA fan, too :) And I remember baking something...maybe it was brownies?...that you made from Mark Bittman's cookbook. I think I then blogged about it. That must have been nearly 2 years ago :) SO I know how much you love his cookbook...and your bread pudding looks fabulous (and your banana bread, too). I bet it's quiet without Lora and her family...and hope your weather has improved! xo

Inside a British Mum's Kitchen said...

I've never cooked a Mark Brittman recipe but this looks absolutely wonderful - as does your banana bread. YES please, I would like to win the American Century in Food!
Mary x

Chic & Gorgeous Treats said...

Gotta love Mark Bittman! I have always wanted to make myself bread and pudding, but never got round to doing it. It's okay Elisabeth.. to me you can have all the bragging rights. After all, you do whip up mean recipes.. not to mention you are a PRO as what you do too. I would love to take a look into the The American Century cook book ;). Along with it, I will like a slice of your banana bread and a nice cold glass of milk. Delish! Just so tempting.. hope the weather gets better for you.. it's just way way too HOT here in KL.. hugggssss

Elisabeth said...

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all your lovely feedbacks, and comments, I really appreciate each and every one of them! I'm ready to do another post later; just wanted to advise that Random.org was used to calculate the actual 1-38 number of comments, and here's what came up. (sorry for not being able to copy and paste the way it should, but it does show the winning #

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 19

The winner of the giveaway Bon Appetit special 100yrs in food is:
Sissy @ With a Glass!
I will contact you for address info to send it to!
Congratulations, Sissy!
Thank you all, I will have another giveaway soon, I promise!

mellissina2 said...

Elizabeth,ez a kenyér puding valami isteni lehet,megpróbálkozom vele,remélem a receptet jól fordítja a rendszer,mert a szöveg fordítások mókásak nagyon!!!

Lizzy said...

PS...thanks so much for letting me know your package arrived :) I had fun shopping for you!!! xo

Una Semplice Passione said...

Ciao Elisabeth,
Finally I can make a bread pudding with your recipe. It's a while I'm looking for a good, simple recipe. To be honest I never tried a bread pudding, but I'm just so curious, and I think it is something I would love just because it will be so comforting.

The chihuahua looks so adorable. Since my sister-in-law has a chihuahua I came to realize they can be really sweet! Love them now.

Sissi said...

Thank you so much, Elisabeth! I'm thrilled to learn I have won! I cannot believe I am so lucky! I'm really grateful because reading your review I thought this book must be extraordinary and have almost put it on my wish list (I didn't think I would be so lucky!). Thank you once more for this beautiful gift! I am so impatient to open it and start exploring the recipes you praised so much!

Katalin said...

Kedves Elisabeth, köszi az erdélyi megjegyzésedet, ott is válaszoltam, de gondoltam ide is írok, ezt biztos elolvasod. Igen, mi is ismerjük Orbán Balázst, Te pedig valóban büszke lehetsz rá, hogy ilyen híres ember tartozik a rokonaid közé! Székelyudvarhelyen nemzeti szalagot kötöttünk a szobrára, fent is van a képek között. Az első nap, mikor a Gyilkos-tónál voltunk, visszafelé jövet a panzióba, betértünk Székelyudvarhelyre is.
A nagyszüleim szomszédjának szintén egy nagy-nagy...bácsija volt Orbán Balázs. Ők Pomázon laktak, (itt Budapest környékén van, Szentendre mellett) és őt Orbán Jánosnak hívták, de már rég meghalt, és a nagyszüleim is. Neki talán a dédapjának volt a testvére az Orbán Balázs.

Cake Duchess said...

Two wonderful and delicious comfort desserts. Your bread pudding is always the best and nothing like it hot out of the oven. I'm imaging even a nice caramel sauce drizzled on top. We can't wait to see you and have your wonderful banana bread for breakfast.:)

Zsuzsa said...

Elisabeth, I have banana bread recipes on my blog, but I am still looking the THE ONE, I have to try this, looks very promising...

Anonymous said...

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