Tuesday, December 23, 2008

TWD: Real Butterscotch Pudding

After all the cookies, I was happy to tackle something else. Last time we made pudding, it was amazing. I had high hopes for nothing less this time.

This recipe called for real scotch. Dorie recommends a single malt. I know for some of you, this was an issue. Why buy a bottle of scotch when you need only three tablespoons? I had no such problems. The husband is a..... collector of single malts. This is what I had to choose from:



Yes, there are eight bottles of scotch on my table.

So with the scotch procurement handled, I started on the pudding. Like the last time, it was an easy recipe. Not diet food for sure. Egg yolks, heavy cream, butter, and whole milk make up the bulk of the ingredients. And scotch.

I still hate the smell of boiling milk. I skipped the food processor for the pudding this time. I could tell a difference. This was slightly heavier and thicker. But, I didn't want to make the mess I made last time.

This pudding certainly isn't going to win any beauty contests.



We did have to dress it up a little. Whipped cream from a can is so much fun. And the cookie nestled in the bowl? Brown Butter Brown Sugar Shorties from Smitten Kitchen. It is a cookie more delicious than any cookie has a right to be.



Anyway, back to the pudding. I liked it. The girl and husband liked it as well. The boy liked the whipped cream and the cookie. It was pretty boozy. The alcohol doesn't cook out, so the scotch flavor is pretty prominent. I would make it again. For adults. No one was getting tipsy, but it did have a decidedly adult flavor.

I have another bonus side recipe. I found a great thing to do with the three egg whites that were left over after I made the pudding. Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Nuts. You know, similar to the ones that you can get at any county fair? I love these.

Slightly out of focus but delicious candied cashews and pecans.



Here is my sad, almost empty container.



I can't remember where I got the original recipe, but here's the version I use:

3 egg whites
1 T. water
1 T. vanilla
1 1/2 pounds of nuts (usually pecans, but I've used almonds and cashews as well)
1 c. white sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. salt (if you use unsalted nuts)

Preheat oven to 250. Line a sheet pan with a Silpat or foil. Froth the egg whites with the water and vanilla. Toss the nuts in the mixture to coat. Mix the sugars, cinnamon, and salt (if using). Add to the nut mixture and stir well to coat. Pour onto pan. Spread the nuts to cover the pan. Bake for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Try to separate nuts with each stir. Depending on the dryness of the day or the liquidity of the eggs, it may take a little longer. These will dry out and crisp up as they cool. Store air tight as long as they'll last.

Thank you Donna from Spatulas, Corkscrews & Suitcases for choosing the pudding. She'll also have the recipe on her site for anyone who is interested. I'm opting out of next week's recipe. It's cheesecake, and we're just not cheesecake people here. I'll try to have something else interesting to show you.

•••• Edited to add -- I think I may have put in three tablespoons of scotch.  That's why mine was so boozy.  Ah well.

19 comments:

Cristine said...

Your husband has a nice scotch collection! My husband bought a bottle in Scotland that is NOT ALLOWED to be touched! :)

Your pudding, cookie, and nuts all look wonderful!!!

Cathy said...

Wow, you definitely win the scotch collection prize! Your pudding looks great! I am glad that you found it to be "boozy" too. To me, scotch was the dominant flavor. So if you don't really like scotch . . .

Anyway, that's some fine looking pudding! And happy holidays to your and your family!

Spike said...

8 bottles of scotch is impressive!

TourGuide Jenn said...

How nice that you had some "options" on which Scotch to use!

I sat this one out but have enjoyed seeing what everyone else did. I like the cookie/whipped cream idea. For the Scotch I would have had to get the mini-bottle down at BevMo. I have quite a collection of other "beverages" from a cake baking class I took where the instructor loved adding a little extra "something" to the cake's flavor.

Nancy/n.o.e said...

There will be a similar scotch picture on my post next week! My husband has a fit when he thinks I'm going to cook with any of his scotch. I don't think I'm going to put scotch in all of my pudding. Love the idea of the nuts and the cookies sound divine!
Nancy

steph- whisk/spoon said...

oh--thanks for the nut recipe! thay sound great, and perfect with the pudding!!

The Food Librarian said...

Wow! You were certainly ready for this recipe! Impressive collection of scotch. Love those nuts too! Happy holidays to your and your scotch loving husband - mary the food librarian

Unknown said...

I am impressed by the Scotch Collection, as well as, the pudding. I had to make my hubby go out and buy it. Far cry from our Jameson or JD. Happy Holidays!

Anonymous said...

I'm wondering if the scotch one chooses makes it taste more or less boozy. Mine really enhanced the flavor, but did not overwhelm. I loved it. Now, I'll have to try those little cookies from smitten kitchen!

Carol Peterman/TableFare said...

This sounds like the perfect dessert for your husband!

Megan said...

I just made mine tonight - and wow, it's great. Not very photogenic, that is true, but the flavor more than makes up for it.

Happy Holidays!

PS - I made meringue cookies with the leftover whites. As much as I would love the nuts, they are a no-go in our house!

Cakelaw said...

Eight bottles of scotch - that's fabulous! Spoiled for choice. Love the look of your spiced cashew nuts - I have a weakness for these.

Kristin said...

I wish mine had been more boozy. I think you need to make this again and break the base down into 8 groups so you can try a different scotch in each one. You know, to see if there is a difference. It's important, we need to know!!

margot said...

Thanks for the nut recipe. I've had more extra egg whites than yolks lately and I've been looking for a good candied nut recipe!

Shelby said...

hehe. You sure you didn't have a bit of that Scotch while making the puddong ;) Great job and I love the candied nuts!

Sarah said...

how convenient! i had to buy scotch and i never drink it! your pudding looks great!

Allison said...

your pudding looks great!

kimberly salem said...

that is an impressive collection! i wasn't allowed to touch the good stuff ;) glad you enjoyed the pudding!

Anonymous said...

Wow...I am so impressed with that collection! Since joining TWD I now have like four bottles of liquor on the very top pantry shelf and I was feelin' pretty special about that...LOL. Your husband's collection beats all that hands down...I love looking at all the labels, like little works of art! Sounds like the recipe was mostly a hit there. I love the little whipped topping on it...a little hat, so cute!