Daring Bakers: Traditonal British Pudding

The April 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Esther of The Lilac Kitchen. She challenged everyone to make a traditional British pudding using, if possible, a very traditional British ingredient: suet.

What is suet? Well my friends, suet is essentially animal fat/lard used to make flaky crusts. The idea of suet for a baking challenge turned me off. Thankfully, Esther did offer us a vegetarian and vegan option. Lucky for me, the vegan option required no special ingredients. Plus I had two ripe bananas that needed some loving.

I think I should have steamed the cake longer. According to instructions, I needed to steam the cake for 40-60 mins. I did 60, but I think it could have been longer. While the outside was nice and firm, the inside was still gooey. Like a molten lava cake. My husband though it was strange, but quite yummy. Me? It was chocolaty, definitely hit the spot. I am definitely going to try this again. I really want it to come out more cake like.

Daring Cooks: Brunswick Stew

Blog Checking Lines- The 2010 April Daring Cooks challenge was hosted by Wolf of Wolf’s Den. She chose to challenge Daring Cooks to make Brunswick Stew. Wolf chose recipes for her challenge from The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook by Matt Lee and Ted Lee, and from the Callaway, Virginia Ruritan Club.

Dear Mother Nature,

I am not too sure if you are aware, but according to the calendar we are in the spring season. I was hoping you were going to grace us with some birds chirping, warm sunshine a maybe a light breeze. I am very upset with you mother nature.

Apparently, you did not get the memo that it is spring because we are still getting random downpours and weather temperatures in the 40s. Those two items alone are is California girl's worse nightmare. How do you expect us to look cute?

That's okay Mother Nature, I forgive you. You know why? Because the cooking challenge was a yummy brunswick stew. Loaded with deliciousness.

So if you get this message, please please please help a sista out and enough with this weather. Bring on the warm weather!

Thanks,

LH

Thank goodness for this stew! With the cold temperatures, this stew was great dish to have to keep me warm and happy. It was so simple to make too. I threw everything in a crock pot. I think I am in love with my crock pot. Throw things in the pot, set it and come back to it later. Viola! Dinner is on the table. I was excited to use up leftover corn and ham from Easter dinner for this dish.

I think the hubby enjoyed the dish since he went for two bowls of it. For me, it was so hearty, that one satisfying bowl did the trick.