4 posts from March 2008

Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Serves 8-10

7 ounces (1-3/4 cups) uncooked macaroni
1 pound sharp cheese, grated
2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
Pepper
Paprika

Cook macaroni until tender, place in a strainer, and rinse with cold water.  In a 2-quart casserole, alternate layers of macaroni and cheese, ending with cheese.  Bring milk to a boil.  Stir in butter, egg, salt and pepper.  Pour over the macaroni and cheese.  Sprinkle paprika on top.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.

Irish Soda Bread
Makes 2 loaves

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons caraway seeds
1 cup raisins
1 3/4 cups well-shaken buttermilk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375 F. Butter and flour a large baking sheet, knocking off excess flour.
Sift together 4 cups flour, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl and stir in sugar, caraway, and raisins. Add buttermilk and stir just until dough is evenly moistened but still lumpy.

Transfer dough to a well-floured surface and gently knead with floured hands about 8 times to form a soft but slightly less sticky dough. Halve dough and form into 2 balls. Pat out each ball into a domed 6-inch round on baking sheet. Cut a 1/2-inch-deep X on top of each loaf with a sharp knife, then brush loaves with butter.

Bake in middle of oven until golden brown and bottoms sound hollow when tapped, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer loaves to racks to cool completely.

Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding

4 to 6 croissants, preferably 1 or 2 days old
2 cups half-and- half
2 cups heavy cream
Pinch salt
4 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
6 eggs
1 cup sugar
Vanilla ice cream, for serving, optional

Cut the croissants into 1-inch cubes. You should have about 3 1/2 cups. Place the cubes in an ovenproof baking dish. In a saucepan, heat the half-and-half, cream, and salt over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to make sure the mixture doesn't burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. When the cream mixture reaches a fast simmer (do not let it boil), turn off the heat. Add the chocolate and whisk until melted.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together. Whisking constantly, gradually add the hot chocolate-cream mixture. Strain the mixture over the croissant pieces and toss lightly. Let sit while the mixture is absorbed, at least 15 minutes. As it soaks, fold the mixture a few times to ensure even soaking. When ready to bake, heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Line a roasting pan that's 2 inches deep and larger than the baking dish with paper towels. Fill the pan with very hot water and place the dish of bread pudding inside. Bake until set, about 40 to 45 minutes. Serve warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on each serving.

Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding

Prep: 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

2 boxes (3 oz each) cook & serve vanilla pudding and pie filling
1 qt (4 cups) whole milk
4 chocolate croissants (about 4 oz each)

Heat oven to 350 F. Have a 3-qt shallow baking dish ready. Whisk pudding mix and milk in a large bowl for 2 minutes, or until thoroughly blended.

Cut croissants in 1-in. pieces. Arrange in prepared baking dish. Pour pudding mixture over croissants, pushing pieces into the liquid. Bake 50 minutes, or until bubbly around edges and a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool about 10 minutes before serving. If desired, dust top with confectioners sugar.