PUDDING

I am loving the fresh, whole, unpasteurized, un-homogenized milk that we've been enjoying lately.  There truly is nothing like real milk.  My favourite part is skimming the cream off the top and reserving it for my husband's morning coffee, or dreaming of the creamy soups or pastas I can make for supper.  Last week I made vanilla ice cream and was blown away by the butter yellow hue - all thanks to that gorgeous milk and our pastured, organic eggs.  It truly amazes me what a difference using high quality ingredients makes in the kitchen.  The simplest of recipes become works of art when you are using the absolute best, wholesome, and nutritious raw materials.
We have a surplus of eggs around here so I thought I'd treat the family to some good old fashioned pudding, with a maple twist.

CHOCOLATE MAPLE PUDDING

2/3 cup real maple syrup

1/4 cups organic cornstarch or arrowroot powder

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/3 cup organic cocoa powder

2 1/2 cups whole milk, preferable raw and/or unpasteurized

4 egg yolks, preferably from pastured/organically fed hens

2 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 tsp organic vanilla extract

Method: Place a fine-mesh sieve over a medium sized bowl; set aside.  

In a medium saucepan (not on the stove) whisk together the cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt.  Very gradually, whisk in the milk, and then the egg yolks.

Whisking constantly, cook over medium heat until the first large bubble forms and sputters.  Reduce heat to low, and whisk for one more minute.  Remove from heat, and quickly pour through the sieve into the bowl.  Stir in butter and vanilla.

Pour into pudding bowls and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to 3 days.  

TODAY'S TWEETABLE: The simplest of recipes become works of art when you are using the absolute best, wholesome, and nutritious raw materials @KeepingItRealNL

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MAPLE STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING with Vanilla Ice Cream

     My in-laws were coming by to pick up my son for a sleep over and were staying for supper. I had already planned to make a casserole for supper, but now I had an excuse to make a dessert! And what a dessert it was. Maple Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream.  After my third piece of this heavenly concoction I have decided that this is my absolute favorite dessert.  Everyone should try this once before they die.  That's how good it is.

     Rather than bake the maple date cake in a square pan, I thought using a muffin tin would work really nicely, making individual portions that plate nicely once you cut the top off.  The caramel sauce was a bit on the thin side when hot, so I recommend you let it cool to a nice thick consistency before spooning over the cake and ice cream.  In fact, make it the day before, refrigerate and just spoon on top of the warm pudding.

     Next to the dessert, our main course pales in comparison. It's not a pretty dish, but very tasty, and a great way to use millet!

CARROT MILLET CASSEROLE

1 cup organic millet, cooked in 2 cups water until light and fluffy

4 cups organic carrots, shredded

6 Tbsp e.v olive oil

6 Tbsp organic tamari

4 cloves organic garlic, smashed and minced

2 tsp dry marjoram or 1 Tbsp fresh

1 pound organic firm tofu, crumbled

10 Tbsp nutritional yeast

2 organic onions, chopped

1/2 cup fresh organic parsley, chopped

Method: Combine all ingredients in a covered casserole dish. Bake at 350* for 40 mins.

MAPLE STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING

1/2 cup organic unsalted butter, softened

8 oz pitted dates

1/2 cup light rum or water

1 cup organic all purpose flour

1 cup organic whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp ground organic cinnamon

1/4 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup maple sugar

2 organic eggs

Toffee Sauce:

2 Tbsp organic butter

1/4 cup maple sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup brown rice syrup

1/3 cup organic whole milk

Method: Preheat oven to 450*. Butter 12 cupcake spots in a pan, or a square 8" pan. Combine the dates, rum and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and then simmer for a couple of minutes until the dates are soft. Remove from heat and use a hand blender to puree. Set aside to cool.

Whisk the flours, baking powder, sea salt, cinnamon and baking soda in a bowl. Whip the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, scrape the bowl and then add flour alternatively with the date mixture in 3 additions. Scoop into the pan and bake for about 2-25 minutes. 

Make the sauce by combining the butter, sugar and syrups together in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk and cook one more minute. Remove from heat and let cool until thick. Serve the sauce over the pudding.