Do you like Italy?
Do you like Bread?
Do you like Raisins?
Do you like Walnuts?
Do you like dried Apricots?
Do you like Maple Syrup infused with vanilla flavored milk?
Did I hear you say Yes? What would you say if I combine all of it together? Did I hear YES YES YES ? Then Apricot Panettone Pudding is for you :-) This being a festive month, I can see wonderful decorations and frenzy shopping everywhere.Here we are leading our own separate quiet lives amongst christmas'sy celebrations everywhere when my husband informs about one American guest for dinner! Being vegetarians, although I sure did come up with a 3 course meal, I was dumbstruck for a dessert! I wanted to make something traditional keeping the month in mind, something special and different.
I have this recipe which I have adapted from a cookbook and which is a traditional Bread pudding with a twist. Heart Healthy and Soul (yup!mine) Healthy. Panettone is an Italian Bread which is enjoyed during Christmas and New Years. Its rich with raisins and fruit zests. I have avoided the use of eggs,too much sugar and heavy cream.
Grease a shallow baking dish with Pam Butter flavored Spray. Arrange half the panettone in the dish.
Scatter all the chopped apricots on the bread and half of walnuts. Then add another layer of Panettone on top of it.Heat the milk and vanilla extract in a saucepan. Simmer for a while and then add the maple syrup and nutmeg and whisk well.
Pour the milk on the dish,lightly pressing down the bread till it submerges in the milk.
Leave it to infuse for 5-10min. Preheat the Oven to 425F.
Sprinkle the rest of the walnuts and brown sugar and bake for 10-15min or until golden.
By Dhivya on Dec 30, 2007
Thanks Jerry! The bread by itself has some egg and using more eggs/eggnogs jus does not sit well with me..I hate too much of an eggy taste...Am sure u will find this better with jus the taste of dried fruits and raisins..:)