Tales of walking, eating, watching and playing. Vintage treasures and simple pleasures ... the things that make her happy.

Saturday 12 May 2012

Chocolate Pudding Induced Garden Makeover

This is for you Mrs M!  A deliciously rich chocolate pudding. 
Serves 6

9 slices of 1 day old white sliced bread
(an end of the day reduced sliced loaf is perfect)
5oz (150g) dark chocolate (75%min cocoa solids)
15fl oz (425ml) double cream
4oz (110g) caster sugar
3oz (75g) butter
Pinch of cinnamon
3 large eggs


7” x 9” x 2” deep buttered ovenproof dish

Remove crusts from bread slices.  Cut each slice into 2 triangles.

Put chocolate, cream, butter, sugar and cinnamon into a bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, taking care not to let the bowl touch the water.   Once the butter and chocolate has melted and the sugar dissolved remove the bowl from the pan and give it a good stir to combine.

In a separate bowl beat the eggs.  Pour the chocolate mixture over the eggs and then whisk thoroughly.

Pour a ½” layer of the chocolate mixture into the dish and arrange half of the bread slices over the top in overlapping rows.  Pour half the remaining chocolate over the bread, then add the rest of the bread and finish with the rest of the chocolate.  Use a fork to press the bread down to ensure that it is completely covered in chocolate.

Cover the dish with clingwrap and leave to stand at room temp for 2 hours.  Then place in the fridge for 2 days.

Preheat oven to 180ºC.  Remove clingwrap and bake 30-40 mins until it is cunchy on top and squidgy underneath.  Leave to stand for 10 mins before serving with crème fraiche, ice cream or cream.  

(No photo of the finished result - it was eaten too quickly!)
____________________________________________

They enjoyed a bank holiday dinner with friends, cooked by the Mr and followed by VJ's rich chocolate bread and butter pudding.  
The following day they were in desperate need of exercise (she is in danger of needing to get a bigger pair of jeans).  With a break in the rain, they decided to tackle the little suntrap in the back yard.  
The spot where they like to sit on a summer’s evening with a book in one hand and a little tipple in the other.  The thick stone walls soak up the heat during a sunny day and release it back to them in the evening.  Bats swoop and they can see the stars.
It had been neglected all winter.  The Gunnera was hidden under self seeded strangers.  Bricks fallen, pots broken.  Dead wood, old leaves.  Herbs needed trimming.  They heaved sacks, moved pots, dug and planted.
They have their little space back.  Now they wait for summer. 

16 comments:

Outcast said...

I don't think you need me to tell you how genius this recipe is Jane, it sounds and looks absolutely amazing!

Anonymous said...

Yum, yum, yum. That pud looks so worth stretching jeans for! I love your suntrap. I hope that we get a summer for plenty of alfresco refreshments. The skiing at Cairngorm at the moments is much better than it was 2 months ago - how mad is that?
Kx

Jelly Jam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jelly Jam said...

Oh blimey, you naughty blogger. I kind of wish I'd not opened this post! I've just bought SMALLER jeans - hurrah. Lucky I've kept the big ones though, I can't not make this.
Garden is looking pretty. I really need to do the same. The front is wall to wall dandelions.
Ellie
x

PCovi said...

Yummmyyy!!!!

Your little garden spot is very inviting!

KC'sCourt! said...

Definitely going to make that!!
I would love a garden like that it is very pretty.
Julie xxxxxx

VintageVicki said...

I've made that chocolate pudding in the past - oddly I've never managed after photos either - its just too scrummy ;)

Love the garden - so pretty :)

patchworkandlace said...

Hi im your new follower ,lovely blog and pictures xxx

A garden just outside Venice said...

Hello Marina and thank you for your comment on my blog ages ago..sorry for getting back to you so late :(
I think your garden is a nice spot for enjoying a slice of your fabulous pudding!

Vix said...

Your sun trap is absolutely gorgeous, I love the tea pot and the mis-matched pots, absolutely inspirational. Fingers crossed for a lovely hot summer for you to bask there. x

In My Wild Eden said...

It looks wonderful and your garden is lovely!

Anonymous said...

Well, first of all that yummy chocolate bread and butter pudding looks divine! I'm already on a diet for hypertension and have been watching calories and sodium so I can't eat this but I sure can drool over it virtually! Sigh...the days of eating what I want are over :(.

Love your sweet little garden.

Unknown said...

That pudding looks yummy. And that little garden area is gorgeous. dee x

grace said...

yummy, yummy pudding - your yard looks very sweet x

fabriquefantastique said...

Oh, even I could make that....no matter that I work with measuring cups, I always wing it with a bread pudding.

Red Rose Alley said...

The chocolate pudding looks so yummy, and the red flowers are so pretty. Thank you for the birthday wishes. Your red flowers made my day.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley