Random bread puddings and recipes, including salted caramel

 
This is random photos of BPs that I forgot to notate. I'm going to give myself credit for the one of the right, a kale savory BP, which might be this recipe, with butternut squash and mushrooms.  I have no clue why I would have made it.  The one of the bottom right is one I had in St. Louis, based on the date, but I can't remember from where.  Basically, this is a pointless post. Some may be repeats, and yes, I know the top photo is terrible, but I feel moved to post any that I take.  I should feel moved to take photography classes!  Happy New Year.

What I don't have a photo of is the fantastic BP I made for my birthday, a salted caramel bread pudding that was low fat and all that.  I used Kroger's sweet Italian bread.  After making the sauce with rum, instead of bourbon, I decided to make that my "liquored up" version that I had on the side.  It was too strong for me.  I made an alcohol free version for pouring on the BP.  The guests raved - 4 forks for me!

Holland House, Nashville

Holland House is known for its potables, but it should be known for it's bread pudding!  I can't believe I didn't find it on any of the lists.  I just happened to stop in and saw it on the menu.  Again, it reminded me why I'd rather have a forkful of bread pudding than a drink any day.  And why my tour of bread puddings this month has got to end!  I'm on a roll and don't want to gain a roll.

This was elegant in name, execution and taste.  Warm cocoa nib bread pudding featuring chocolate chunks, walnuts, Nutella brittle, chantilly cream and chocolate ganache.  It was a mouthful to read and a mouthful of pleasure to taste.  Please forgive the to-go box for not giving it the setting that it deserves.  Whoa - this was not some thrown together dessert with bits of whatever the cook had handy.  This BP is at a whole other level, and I again had to up the fork-quotient to give it its due.  My goodness, the description can't even do justice to the complexity of textures and tastes that abounded in this treat, but it's a start.  It made me wish I was a real food writer. Nothing in it was off-balance, it was a new combination of wonderfulness with each forkful.  Ahhhh.


Price: 8.00 (well worth it, unlike Chappy's)
Raisins: No
Sauce:  Chantilly creme, chocolate ganache
Ice cream: No
Visited: October 2012


Holland House Bar and Refuge

Copper Kettle, Nashville

Ok, it might look unappetizing, but this here reminded me of why bread pudding is my drug of choice.  Just think of this, a red velvet bread pudding with Goo Goo Cluster sauce.  Ok, even that might sound unappetizing but the sauce was only the chocolate from the Goo Goo, maybe with the marshmallow, but definitely not the peanuts.  It's the Goo Goo Cluster 100 year anniversary and Copper Kettle's dessert chef is making sure she pays homage.  Copper Kettle, by the way, always has bread pudding (unlike these sometimey places like Silo), with a new flavor each time.

I got the last serving, and was moved to share a taste with an extremely disappointed woman who wanted some also.  She had better be glad she had the first bite because if I had tasted it first, I would not have offered.  I must say I was doubting that this could taste good.  I was blown away.  Now, the red velvet flavor was very subtle, though the color kept reminding me.  The texture, sweetness and drizzle of chocolate Goo Goo were marvelous.  I am so glad I only got an order of their tasty greens and then went right into the dessert.  It was a balance I highly recommend.


Price:  3.99 (a total bargain)
Raisins:  No
Sauce:  Goo Goo Cluster
Ice cream:  No
Visited:  October


Copper Kettle

Chappy's, Nashville

I was wandering one night, with a good book and nowhere to land, and found Chappy's listed on another bread pudding site.  I had been here for food years before, but it didn't leave a lasting impression.  This time it did as the hostess was ever so solicitous and set me up in the cute little sitting area to enjoy my dessert as if I had a private lounge.  What she brought out was yet another strange manifestation of BP, more like a bread pudding stew.  The dessert chef made the bread pudding, then chopped it into small cubes, which were then drenched in the sauce.  When the hostess saw the quizzical look on my face, she asked how it was.  I told her the BP was delicious, but that I was surprised by the presentation.  She said she had them add extra sauce (she had no way of knowing I am do not like an excess of sauce, and usually eschew sauce, on any food).  In short, this deconstructed traditional bread pudding with praline sauce tasted lovely, but fell short on the soupy plating.

Price: 7.95 (pricey, but thankfully that was all that I ordered)
Raisins: No
Sauce: Praline
Ice cream: No
Visited: October 2012

Chappy's on Church

Motor City Casino Hotel, Detroit, MI

This was going to be where I told you that I would no longer be posting to this site, or at least I am taking a hiatus.  Bread pudding has gotten to be a habit that I need to break (among others).  I was ready to prey on your sympathy, though I can't think of a reason that anyone would feel sorry for me.  This is not a necessity.  ANYWAY, I am giving up bread pudding dessert, but on a technicality let me tell you about the GARLIC bread pudding I had at the Motor City Casino Hotel!  I totally avoided the sweets table because I was sated by this magnificent savory offering. A hint of rosemary and a subtle garlic flavor melded with some really good bread - I mean, could it have been stale and tasted this good?  I think some places are cheating and using fresh bread, but I digress.  I am thankful for this "transition" bread pudding and y'all pray for me that I have strength to resist any other surprises of the bread pudding variety that come my way.

More reviews in a bit (duration to be determined).

Price:  None, part of a lush buffet
Raisins: n/a
Sauce: n/a
Ice cream: n/a
Visited: July 2012

Cafe 4, Knoxville, TN

I searched and searched for bread pudding reviews in Knoxville and every place I found was either closed or no longer serving it.  Quel Surprise! I went to Cafe 4 for dinner, resigned to having to choose another dessert and lo and behold, a peach bread pudding!  The peach helped me forgive them the gelatinous texture.  I would have liked more than the sparse custard to bind the bread.  Somehow that made it a bit gummy.  But it was s solid 3.

Price: ~$5
Raisins: No
Sauce: Yes, bourbon?
Ice cream: No
Visited: July 2012

O'Possum's, Murfreesboro, TN

My friends who I was having lunch with in Murfreesboro should have known what motivated me to pick O'Possums.  Unfortunately, they don't serve bread pudding during Sunday brunch.  I was so disheartened the owner gave me a gift certificate and invited me back.  Well, as life would have it I had to be in Murfreesboro again that next week (after being in TN for a year).  I adore the place and the staff, but this is about bread pudding so let me get to it. 

I would give this BP a 2.75 because I have a feeling it can be better.  At first I thought, "Heavenly," but then I realized that I was fooled into a happy place by the marshmallow-y topping and powdered sugar.  O'Possum includes whatever fruit or flavoring they have available or left so this one was vanilla with a hint of cinnamon.  I guess there was no fruit handy.  The texture of these three slices was fine but the bread pudding itself lacked any umph, which is why it was dependent on the sauce.  That said, because I really liked the owner, waitstaff and comfy atmosphere, I would try again one day.

Price: ~$5
Raisins: No
Sauce: Yes
Ice cream: No
Visited: June 2012

O'Possums