Apple, Fig and bread pudding, served with Vanilla ice-cream and honey - An Anytime favourite

I love baking and even more, I like to try out something which I can make and serve without much ado. So today, I'm going to tell you how to bake a delicious, golden brown Apple, Fig and Bread pudding. 

Want even more 'deliciousness'? Serve it hot, topped with a scoop of Vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of honey.

So here it is, the recipe and the method. Do let me know what you think and it would be even better, if you actually try it and let me have your feedback.

Ingredients

Three slices of wholemeal/brown bread
1red apple, sliced
6 small figs
1 and a 1/2  cups  milk
1 egg
1 tsp   vanilla essence
Brown Sugar- 2  tablespoons

Method 

Pre heat oven to 150 degrees and set timer for 32 mins.

Set the three slices of bread cut evenly into squares on an oven proof glass dish which has been lined with oil/butter.

Add the figs which have been roughly chopped.

Slice apple finely and cover with the juice of one lemon to prevent dis colouration.

Soak the bread slices with the milk, egg, sugar  and the vanilla essence mix which should have been beaten with a fork to achieve a  smooth consistency.

Leave for 3-5 minutes to ensure that the slices are softened.

Decorate with the apple slices.

All set for popping into the  oven

Put into the pre-heated oven and wait till the timer pings on completion of 32 minutes.( You may want to leave it for an additional 2-3 mins if you want more of a golden brown look.)

Bake till top is golden brown

The Apple, fig and bread pudding is ready

To Serve

Cut into portions and serve in a bowl.

The best way I can recommend is to add one scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with a teaspoon of honey.

Even more delicious, topped with a scoop of Vanilla Ice cream and a drizzle of honey

Sit back and enjoy with a steaming  Cappuccino.

PS- This is a re run of an older post, but this is the festival season  and I'm sure that it could be an interesting possibility for any of you.

Fig, Orange and Lemon Biscotti- An easy to make, anytime treat

Looking for that perfect anytime treat? Even better as its the festive season. Something that can be had with your tea, coffee or best of all, easily be served up as a dessert? Then, it has to be Biscotti- easy to make at home and can be made with just about any ingredient you may have lying in your kitchen cabinets. Biscotti also known as 'cantuccini' are twice baked cookies originating in the Italian city of Prato. The biscuits are oblong-shaped biscuits, made dry and crunchy through cutting the loaf of dough while still fresh from baking in the oven.

Today, biscotti are made using many different ingredients. Almonds, figs, pistachios, raisins, cranberries, and lemon & orange zest make for great flavors in this cookie and can be mixed and matched depending on their availability. I made these with wholewheat flour, figs, orange and lemon zest, creamed with butter and sugar . Ingredients 2 cups wholewheat flour 1 and a half cups sugar 350 gms butter 3 whole eggs Figs to taste Grated zest of one lemon and orange ( each) 1 tsp baking powder. Method Put all the dry ingredients together in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Combine all the wet ingredients and stir briskly. Combine the two and make into a clean oval shaped dough. Put cling film and pop into the frig for 1 hour. Bake in a pre heated oven art 125 C for 30-35 mins

Bake at 125 C for 30-35 mins Allow to rest on a wire rack. Then cut into pieces and bake for another 15 mins till golden brown. Cut into pieces and bake again for about 15 mins Dust with icing sugar and serve with tea, coffee or simply as dessert.

We tried it with whipped cream and berries- made for a delightfully decadent dessert. Try your own variations and let me know too. PS -I'm just repeating this post to re start my blog as Ive been off the grid for some time. I promise to be more regular from now on...

Love Muffins? Then try this easy Banana, Raisin and Nut version

Then there are the days when you want a quick and tasty 'anytime' treat. 

Looking around, you find the bananas seem to be slightly over ripe  but there's a wonderful way to deal with that.

Then look into the kitchen cupboard, find things, pre-heat the oven and its time to bake.

Banana, Raisin and Nut muffins

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 cup sugar 

1 teaspoon baking powder 

Half teaspoon salt

Cashew nuts chopped into bits 

20 raisins 

1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature 

2 eggs 

a dash of vanilla extract 

2 ripe bananas.

All set to proceed

Method

Pre heat oven to  100 C and prepare the muffin cases by lightly greasing them from inside.

In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nuts. 

Combine the mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla in a large bowl.

Add the flour, baking powder, sugar and blend into the banana mixture.

Spoon this batter into the muffin cases, leaving enough space for them to rise.

I managed 11 large muffins

Bake until muffins are  golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Looking good and smelling delightful!

Once they are ready, you can serve them with honey drizzled on top, or try vanilla ice cream and honey.

Best of all, just sit back and enjoy one with a large mug of coffee..

             Golden brown and smelling great

Which is exactly what I'm going to do next!