Tuesday 23 December 2008

A New Obsession . . .



I really didn't think I was going to be able to get around to making this week's Tuesdays With Dorie Challenge, Real Butterscotch Pudding on page 386 , as chosen by Donna of Spatulas, Corkscrews & Suitcases . This is a busy week for me, well, for everyone really. I had decided to brave the shops yesterday afternoon instead of cooking. Over here braving the shops at Christmas is a real chore. I think everyone waits til the last minute to do any kind of food shopping. One can hardly blame them, as it's nice to have really fresh veg and stuff for Christmas. I don't ever remember it being as bad as it is here, back in Canada. Todd had gone into town earlier in the day yesterday to put some money into the bank, and when he came home he told me . . . "They're queueing up to get into the Waitrose parking lot all the way down the main street." That's when I decided that shopping would have to wait . . . and I'd have enough time to do the pudding. I may be nuts, but I'm not crazy . . .



I have always loved butterscotch anything. My dad used to keep a little tub of butterscotch wafers in his top dresser drawer. Every once in a while I used to like to go into my parents room when nobody was looking or paying attention. I'd stand there and I'd slowly pull the drawer open, quietly as I could, and I would just crack the lid of these butterscotch wafers open and sniff for a few minutes, and sniff and sniff and sniff. I was very good . . . though . . . I never took one . . . well, shhh . . . hardly ever anyways . . .



Dorie, Dorie, Dorie . . . you have to stop doing this to me!!! Every single recipe that I have baked out of your lovely book, Baking, from my home to yours, has been totally and decadently delicious. I have loved each one thus far, and this lovely pudding was no exception. In fact, I have found a new obsession . . . but we'll get to that later!!!



Dorie likes to make her cornstarch puddings by using a combination of her food processor and stove top heat. I have a beautiful new food processor, my old one having given up the ghost, and I don't have a problem with using it or making dirty dishes. I have a 70 year old dish washer that does a fantastic job of clearing up dishes, well, just so long as he gets to eat what I have cooked, and he always does! I love the silkiness of the pudding having been blended in the food processor, but I know a lot of the gals just used their hand mixers and or immersion blenders, which worked out just fine for them too . . . now on to my new obsession . . .

I didn't use the scotch called for in the recipe. It's just not something we have in the house, us being Mormon's and all . . . but I did use a bit of extra vanilla to make up for it, but that's not my new obsession . . . I've already been obsessed with vanilla for a long time anyways . . .



OBSESSION = two words = BUTTERED PECANS!!!

When I was a kid my mom used to buy us butter pecan ice cream once in a while, but it never really twigged with me that you could actually make buttered pecans. I am not sure where I thought the buttered pecan flavour in the ice cream came from. Perhaps I thought it was magic or just a name. I have now experienced the reality of BUTTERED PECANS and I am in love . . . sigh . . .



Who knew that a knob of butter, a hot skillet and some nuts could create something so wonderfully and deliciously exciting and moreish???? I can tell you who knew . . . Dorie knew!!! My life will never be the same!!! If you make this pudding, and I really hope that you will, make the buttered pecans for on top. just DO IT! You won't be regretting it. I promise!!!


If you would like the recipe for this lovely pudding dash on over to Donna's page, where she is sure to have it posted. In the meantime do be sure to check out the Tuesday's With Dorie Blog Roll to see what the other members have been up to . . . duckie, I hear there's pie!! Next week's recipe will be Tall and Creamy Cheesecake on pages 235-237, as chosen by Anne of AnneStrawberry . Oh goodie!!! Just in time for New Years Eve!!!



Psst . . . you know you really should buy this book. It's fabulous, not a dud in the bunch. Baking, From My Home To Yours by Dorie Greenspan. Well worth it's weight in gold, and let me tell you now, it's a very heavy book!!!

Tommorrow . . . Herb and Sausagemeat Stuffing, just in time for Christmas. (You will need, soft breadcrumbs, a good quality sausagemeat, fresh sage, thyme, onions and streaky bacon)

29 comments:

  1. I too LOVE everything Butterscotch!
    I remember the first time I tasted Butterscotch icecream: HEAVEN! It was in Canada where you got those vanilla scoops and they were dipped in the flavor of your choice. I always choose Butterscotch. I want one now, lol.

    Hugs from Marian

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  2. Looking at your picture almost had me going to the kitchen for a spoon ,mmm delicious ..we are going to brave the shops today and deliver the last of the family presents ..love Jan xx

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  3. All right, I'm convinced. I'll try those buttered pecans, maybe even after breakfast. I loved the pudding too. Merry Christmas, Marie!

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  4. oh my goodness. I LOVE pecans. yummmmmmmmm.
    and I love butterscotch. so good on the throat...

    not a bad obsession at all!
    take care, I am going to the shops today too!
    hugs
    tina

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  5. The pudding looks so wonderful in those tall glasses and I'm tickled that you liked it so much. It had to have been great with vanilla --after all, butter and caramel are among vanilla's best friends.

    Wishing you and Todd a lovely Christmas -- Dorie

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  6. Your beautiful pictures are driving me batty!! This looks wonderful Marie!

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  7. I'm so glad you liked my choice! After all the cookies we've been making, I thought a nice silky pudding would be just the thing for the holidays!

    Have a wonderful holiday!
    Donna

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  8. Moreish indeed! I love butterscotch in any form! You had me going for a minute with your 70 year old dishwasher! I am braving the shops today as well, although I don't think our lines are quite as bad as yours! Marie, I wish you and Todd the very merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years! Much love, Raquel XO

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  9. So delightful! Butterscotch pudding is my son Jordan's favorite. Now that you have made me and owner of this book, I will have to make it for him. I think I shared with you that I bought a copy for my daughters and daughter's in law for Christmas, I also did a few more as gifts to my bestest of friends. Everyone is so excited to delve in! Merry Christmas to you and Todd! Have a lovely visit to the temple.

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  10. yummmmmm! I want one now! Especially with the buttered pecans. I better go find some breakfast right now!

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  11. We loved the pudding too. I made it with and without scotch. Both were delicious.

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  12. I love those glasses --- the pudding looks marvelous in them. And it was delicious, wasn't it?

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  13. lovely pudding, marie. sorry i haven't been by to visit in a while...been so busy. but i love the new look of your blog! happy holidays!

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  14. love your new blog and love the christmasy feeling :D
    Marry christmas..
    lots of love to you and Todd
    love
    fariah

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  15. My dad LOVED butter pecan ice cream, only topped by his passion for butter brickle ice cream. And despite those childhood associations,I, too, never gave buttered pecans a thought. But that has all changed. Guess what nibbles will be out Christmas morning?

    Thank you!

    Love,
    Starr

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  16. Gee Marie, You are just the best blogger! I was only gone for the weekend and I missed hours of reading and I'm trying to get caught up but unfortunately I have to keep taking shopping breaks! I was a little sad to read about you not spending Christmas with your children, do they live far away? I hope you have a glorious Christmas there in Jolly Ol' England!

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  17. The most elegant food blog I have seen! Keep it coming!

    Best wishes

    Emily @ www.foodsnappers.com

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  18. happy christmas!! i love the snow falling down your blog! buttered pecans were perfect with this pudding, i agree!

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  19. Marie --
    Your pudding looks delicious. I love pudding! I braved the shops today and it was crazy. I am glad to be home in my own house, watching the snow falling and being warm. I hope you have a wonderful night tomorrow night!

    XOXOXOOXXO
    Jen

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  20. When I was about 8 years old my mother asked me what I wanted for my birthday. A butterscotch pie all for myself was my answer! I ate the whole thing, too, and loved every bite. Can't wait to try this. blessings, marlene

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  21. I love butterscotch. LOVE IT. I really wanted to make this, but was afraid of being disappointed. Boy, I wasn't disappointed, and my waistline is suffering for it! And if you have another 70 year old dishwasher, I'd be happy to adopt him!

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  22. I haven't tried the buttered pecans yet, but if I ever do, I have a feeling I'll be obsessed with them too! Your pudding looks delicious!

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  23. Ooooh that looks good!
    I'm off to work again (finish at 6pm - no rest for the wicked lol) Marie, I wanted to wish you and Todd a very Happy Christmas xx

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  24. Hello dear,
    I have always loved butterscotch. It was one of my mom's favorites too. I haven't made any for a long time. I will have to try it. I know that it will bring back sweet memories.

    I also enjoyed reading your post from yesterday. The carrots look so good to me. I will have to cook them and add a little sugar and nutmeg. I've not done that before but I know I will like it.

    You are in my thoughts. I hope that you will have a wonderful Christmas eve dinner with the Elders. They are surely lucky to get your cooking for the holiday.

    I have lots to do still. No matter how early I start getting ready for Christmas it still always manages to get here before I am ready. I always hate it when it comes and goes so quickly. I wish that it could last longer. I never tire of Christmas I and am sad when it is over.

    You will be up soon.... have a great Christmas eve. I send love.
    Lura

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  25. THANK YOU SO MUCH MY DEAR MARIE!!!!!

    I am so excited that I can hardly think of going to sleep.

    I'm sure that I will before long and I will have sweet dreams of my dear friend.

    Have a wonderful Christmas Eve.... You will be in my thoughts and in my heart. I am sending lots of love and hugs your way. XOXOXO Lura

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  26. Oh, Marie, you've won me over already! We made the pudding yesterday for our Christmas dinner, and I'm off to make the nuts now...
    Beautiful pudding - what is your secret to getting it in a glass and keeping the glass SOOOOO clean??? I don't have that gene, apparently!
    Nancy

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  27. yum, your pudding looks beautiful and delicious! i didn't try the buttered pecans, but i'm glad you loved them so much :)

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