Winter's Bone, Fried Squirrel and Home

I spent a small part of my young life in Missouri, right around the area where Winter's Bone was shot. Southern Missouri, close to the Arkansas border is beautiful, even in winter. However, you can starve on fresh air, if you are poor.

Winter's Bone is the story of Ree Dolly, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, a 17 year old, who has had to grow up fast and shoulder responsibilities that would break some adults. Dad is a meth cooker, who has disappeared, and Mom has totally checked out of this reality. Ree also cares for her little brother and sister. It's a bleak world, for this girl who dreams of going into the Army.

To get out of jail, Jessup Dolly, her father, put the homestead up for his bond. He's got a court date coming up and can't be found. If he doesn't show up, the family home and land will be taken.

As Ree begins her journey to find her father, we meet her immediate family, among them is Uncle Teardrop, (great name), portrayed by John Hawkes of Deadwood fame. Hawkes' portrayal of this character is chilling. Believe me, I'm related to people like him, and thankfully most of them are now dead. Honor, clannishness, and defiance of authority, it's all there. He is very scary, and ultimately, the guy you want on your side. We meet other nasty people along the way, including some evil sisters that make the witches of Macbeth look like church ladies. We eventually learn that Jessup has committed the ultimate sin in this society. What Ree has to do to keep her home is beyond horrifying, and oh, so very brave. All the while keeping her own honor intact. She is a great heroine.

I really liked this movie, it works on many levels. It's the classic hero's story, a quest if you will. It portrays the people of the region realistically, with no apologies. Debra Granik, who directed and wrote the screenplay, stays fairly in line with Daniel Woodrell's novel. She never talks down to the material, there is no "look at the ignorant hillbillies" here. Are there people like this who give a whole new dimension to the word trash? Yes, and they are found in every part of the country and aspect of society, not just the poor of the south.

The actors are superb, John Hawkes, especially. I hope he gets nominated for something, at least an Independent Spirit award, for his performance. Jennifer Lawrence portrays her character with quiet tenacity, it's a remarkable performance. Dale Dickey, who portrays one of the evil sisters, Merab, (another great name!), is fantastic. She's a white trash with a little money nightmare, who proves surprising, in the end. The music is wonderful too, if you like old timey mountain music.

Oh, about the fried squirrels. There is a scene where Ree and her brother are dressing some squirrels they have just shot. That struck a ringing truth with me. When you are that poor, fried squirrel sounds delicious. I've been that poor and it is.

Eat, Pray, Love

Why is it when a man goes "in search of himself", we find it life affirming and noble? Larry from The Razor's Edge comes to mind. When a woman does it, it's self-indulgent, narcissistic hooey.

I tried to read Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert, really, I did. Ugh, I couldn't get past the page after page of, well, crap that goes on inside this woman's head. Talk about someone lost in their own drama. Good grief.

Now, with the release of the movie, we are being bombarded with the merchandise. It's every where. Candles, clothes, perfume, sheets? I guess with all that eating, praying and loving, you need a good night's sleep on 500 thread count sheets. I know I do.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Scandinavian mysteries have become quite the phenomenon. We've had Wallander on PBS, and now the late Steig Larsson's Millennium Trilogy, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest in bookstores and movie theaters. With the exception of one thing, I loved the books and the first movie. The novels were well written thrillers, with a decidedly Euro-flair, since they were translated from Swedish. I'm not really familiar with Sweden, except for meatballs, Volvo's and Ingmar Bergman. I thought the books did have a little Bergman feel to them. With that said, here's what I thought of the first of the three movies...

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, the Swedish version, released on DVD, July 14. Starring Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander and Michael Nyqvist as Mikael Blomkvist.

They couldn't have cast a more perfect actress than Noomi Rapace. She was Lisbeth, from her pierced eyebrow to her platform boots, she was exactly as I pictured her, while reading the books. She's very androgynous, and extremely Goth. She also had the character down cold, lots of attitude and contempt, but also confusion and vulnerability. Lisbeth is one of those rare characters that is totally victimized, but never thinks of herself as a victim. She doesn't crawl away, she gets spectacularly even. I really loved that about her.

The actor who portrayed Blomkvist, the reporter, was also very good, in a shrugging Euro way. One thing that was so surprising, is the age of Nyqvist and the rest of the supporting cast. I admit, I haven't been watching a lot of European films in the last few years, so I don't know if this is a trend, but they used a lot of middle aged actors for this film, that really looked middle aged. I would say none of them looked good for their age. Really. I know that sounds awful, I guess I'm used to the nipped, tucked, agelessness of American actors. The plot does deal with a forty year old crime, but these actors looked like they lived hard, I'm talking rock star hard.

The one thing I didn't like about the first book or the movie is the graphic rape scene. I know it was an important event. It factors into all three books. I just didn't have to be beaten over the head with it. I didn't want to read the details, nor did I want to see them. I like to think that if Stieg Larsson lived, he might have toned it down a bit. This one scene has turned off a lot of female readers. I can honestly say there is nothing like it in the other two books. I know the original title of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was Men Who Hate Women, so I understand why the scene is there. I just don't think graphic rape is a form of entertainment, in any medium. Suffice to say, my DVD player has fast forward and I used it through that scene. Although, what happens to the rapist is Epic Karma.

Of course, the Americans have garnered their own film rights to the books. It's said that Daniel Craig of 007 fame will play Blomqvist, and every young actress in the world wants to portray Lisbeth. Personally, if they can't get Noomi Rapace, they should go with an unknown. Look what we did with La Femme Nikita. I always thought Bridget Fonda was a little too perky for that role. I can see it now, Dakota Fanning in Goth makeup or Keira Knightly in a punk hairdo.

I would recommend this movie for a rent or buy. The Girl Who Played With Fire is in theaters now. If I can get the husband over to the fashionable part of town to see it, I will. The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest will be in theaters October 15.

Of Coolness

At a recent family get together, my 29 year old nephew said something quite shocking. We were talking about my recent brush with a computer virus, he said that's why I should get an Apple, I said I'm not cool enough for an Apple. Then he then said something that just stopped me in my tracks, "You're my cool aunt, you've always been cool."

Wow, I've always thought I was kind of weird. My husband says I'm a little eccentric and my best friend says I spin in a different orbit from anyone else. See, I think those are just nice ways of saying weird.

What is coolness? Well, Steve McQueen was super cool, so was James Dean. However, they were movie stars and most of them look or seem pretty cool. I think it's more than that, I think it's more about being, your true self. My mother always said, "don't follow the beat of a different drummer, follow your own beat". Mom was a big believer in individuality.

Maybe that's the secret, just be your own weird self and someone will think you're cool.

Purple Pots

I can hardly stand it... Le Creuset has come out with purple pots!!! I am obsessed with enamel over cast iron cookware. Combine that with my love of purple and this could be a serious situation.

Now, I had a hard time convincing my DH to get my made in China cast iron Dutch oven. However, he did change his tune when he tasted the artisan bread and the beef bourguignon that came out of it, so maybe... but $200 for a glorified frying pan, or excusez moi, a Braiser, I think would be stretching it. I have a better chance of going to Paris for the weekend.

Just think of the fantastic food that would come out of my Braiser. Delectable sauteed veggies, melt in your mouth short ribs, or even coq au vin. Ah yes, I can dream. C'est la vie.

Of Bread, Pots and Grandpas

I never thought I came from a family of bakers. Oh there were cakes, pies and the occasional biscuit and cookie but no hard core baking. Until I found out that one of my grandfather's many jobs during the Great Depression was baker. My aunt told me that when she was a girl, Grandpa would bake bread, cakes and pies for the coming week. I never knew this. He never said a word. He was many things, a coal miner, deep sea diver, (really), vintner, marksman, hunter and conservationist, but I would have never have pegged him as a baker. Although, he did have the arms for it. Have you ever noticed the biceps on a bread maker? Which is one of the reasons I've always used a bread machine.

Now a bread machine makes decent looking bread, and it's edible. However, if you want old fashioned crusty bread or artisian bread, you need a bread oven. I'm not really sure of the mechanics but I think it has to do with steam at some point. Anyway, I read about this new method called No Knead Bread and then I saw a show on Cooks Country about it called Almost No Knead Bread. That's the method I used. It calls for an enameled cast iron Dutch Oven, which I've always wanted and never could afford. LaCrusette/no Monet. Walmart just happened to have a really nice one on sale, it's made in China not France, I'll get over that. I won't include the recipe, because it's not mine and I didn't change it one bit. You can get it from the Cooks Country website.

I must admit this was really easy to make and look at the result. I've never made a prettier loaf of bread. I'd like to think my grandpa would be proud.

Of Spring and Asparagus Quiche

The snow is stopping, the bunnies are hopping, and the buds are popping.

Yes, on Saturday, March 20, at 12:32 pm CST, the Vernal Equinox will occur, As the sun sits vertically above the equator, ta da, it's SPRING.

To my Wiccan and Pagan friends, Happy Ostara, wish you could be at Stonehenge. Although with all the riffraff there, it's kind of like a vampire going out on Halloween, it's just not done. But I digress, as usual.

My favorite place to be in springtime is Tennessee. If I were there, I'd be looking forward to the red bud trees turning the hills magenta and pink, (see picture above). The dogwoods would be headed for a blaze of glory and the jonquils would be nodding in the breeze. Of course, I'd be sneezing my head off but I'd be enjoying the scenery and the company.

It's been quite nice up here in the Great White North. It was in the 60's yesterday; however, tonight it's supposed to snow. My grandpa called this pneumonia weather. To stave off any chill, I suggest an Asparagus Quiche, and I just happen to have a fabulous recipe. Seriously, if you are serving more than three people you'd better make two, it's that good.

Asparagus Deep Dish Quiche

10 bacon strips cut in 1/2 inch pieces, or 1 cup diced ham

3/4 cup chopped onion

1 lb fresh asparagus, cut into 1/2 to one inch pieces

1 and 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese

1 Tablespoon flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 9 inch unbaked pie shell, I use Pillsbury, the kind that's rolled in a box.

3 eggs, I use jumbo but extra large will do

1/2 cup half and half, you can buy a little carton and use the rest for a treat in your coffee or cereal.

Place pie crust in a deep dish pie pan.

In a skillet cook bacon until crisp, or cook ham until it has a little color. Remove meat from skillet and drain on paper towel. If you used bacon reserve 1 tablespoon of drippings in skillet, if you used ham add 1 tablespoon butter, then add onions and cook till golden and translucent.

Cook the asparagus in a little boiling water until tender-crisp, then drain.

In a bowl toss together the meat, onions, asparagus, cheese, flour, salt and pepper. Pour this mixture onto the pie crust. Mix the eggs and half and half together and pour over the asparagus mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 - 35 minutes. It's done when it gets a little puffy and golden, also a knife inserted near the center will come out clean. Serve with a crisp salad made of spring greens and other salad goodies and your taste buds will applaud.

Alice in Wonderland

So, it's been thirty some odd years since I read Adventures in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass. Which was a good thing then I couldn't nit pick the changes, which made the movie very enjoyable. Yes, enjoyable. I loved this movie. I found myself smiling through most of it, as a lot of it was just as I'd imagined.

It's true, Johnny Depp carries most of the movie, except where Helena Bonham Carter appears. The girl who portrayed Alice could have been anyone. Depp is deliciously psychotic as the Mad Hatter and Bonham Carter is fabulous as the Red Queen, big head and all. She has one of the best lines ever, "Off with his, her or their heads". Although, she seems a combination of the Red Queen and the Queen of Hearts, two different people in the books. I also loved Crispin Glover as the Knave of Hearts. He always brings a certain weirdness to all his roles. I've decided I must have a Cheshire Cat, and a hookah smoking Caterpillar.

To 3D or not to 3D? Don't bother. I saw it in 2D and didn't have to wear those annoying glasses. I honestly couldn't see how it could be improved in 3D. Maybe the rabbit hole scene would have been cooler.

Now the nit pick. As far as I know, it's a Jabberwock, not a Jabberwocky. Jabberwocky is the name of the poem. "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch." The Queen of Hearts was in Adventures in Wonderland, which had a card theme and The Red Queen was in Through The Looking Glass, which had a chess theme. The Knave of Hearts stole the tarts, not some frog footman. And weren't they fish footmen? I can't remember. However, the changes really don't matter as these are such illogical stories anyway, I don't' think Lewis Carroll would mind a bit.

One thing this movie has made me want to do is reread the books.

Alice in Wonderland is a must see if you are a Depp or Burton fan. If you loved the books or if you are over the age of 10 you'll want to see it again.

The Hurt Locker and Oscar

I've been hearing all week that The Hurt Locker is going to win best picture and at the very least Katherine Bigelow will win for best director. Why?

I admitted in my last post that I fell asleep during this movie. Not because it was boring, I was just really tired. I like Jeremy Renner, he's a good actor and very sexy. Kind of like a really good looking Daniel Craig. The story was OK. However, we've seen it before and told much better. Maybe, the reason this movie is so popular is because it's about this generation's war and seeing it through their eyes. I feel kind of sorry for Hollywood, in that they have to take into account we have an all volunteer military, so there is no MASH or Apocalypse Now on the horizon of this war. These men and women want to be doing what they are doing, with nary an anti-hero in sight.

Katherine Bigelow is decent director. However, I think the other directors nominated made either a better movie or pulled a fantastic performance out of their actors. This movie has most likely made the most money of any of her films so far. I think her biggest movie before that was Point Break, and that movie is nearly 20 years old.

I think the real reason for all this hoopla over The Hurt Locker is guilt. Hollywood and the media in general have been extremely critical of our military endeavors since we invaded Iraq. The attitude of we hate the war but support our troops, is a little confusing, and I think that most soldiers think it's a load of b.s. How would you like it if someone told you: I hate everything you do and stand for; however, I'm behind you 100 percent? Talk about passive/aggressive. Yeah, they are supported so much most soldiers feel they need to take their lawyers into battle with them, so they don't infringe upon the enemy's rights.

Will The Hurt Locker win it all? Maybe. I don't know. So, I'm revising my list and doing what People Magazine did.

Who I think will win and who I think should win.

Best Picture
Think: The Hurt Locker. Should: Avatar, ground breaking, people will be talking about the effect of this movie for a long time.

Best Actor
Think: Jeff Bridges Should: Jeff Bridges, everyone loves a boozy country singer, me included.

Best Actress
Think: Sandra Bullock Should: Meryl Streep, a perfect Julia Child.

Best Supporting Actor
Think: Christoph Waltz Should: Christoph Waltz, chilling performance, you hated him right off.

Best Supporting Actress
Think: Mo'Nique Should: Mo'Nique, chilling performance, you hated her right off.

That's what I think. I'll be watching, even though I'm not Hollywood's target audience, nor is it a special thing to see the "stars", when they are everywhere ad-nauseum. No, I'll watch for those unscripted moments, I still remember that streaker and David Niven, and also to see what get-up Mickey Rourke will wear and also to see who's going to win.

Of Hollywood and Lemon Cake

There are ten movies nominated for Best Picture this year and all I can ask is why? In past years it has been a stretch to come up with five, here's what I think of the 2010 ten, for 2009...

Avatar, I haven't seen it. I don't want to wear glasses over my glasses, but will for Alice In Wonderland.

The Blind Side, ugh.

District 9, surprisingly, really good.

An Education, don't stand, don't stand so close to me, where are Sting and the boys when you need them?

The Hurt Locker, really? I fell asleep watching this movie.

Inglorious Basterds, or how WWII should have ended. I loved it.

Precious, hard to watch, really good.

A Serious Man, never heard of it.

Up, best movie I saw last year.

Up In The Air, Hollywood tells us what it's like to be fired. Please don't, although, George would take the sting out of being canned.

What's going to win? Probably Avatar, or knowing Hollywood, it will be A Serious Man. They do love the obscure. Who heard of Slumdog Millionaire before the awards season last year?

Will I watch? Yes, I love to see the gowns and what get-up Mickey Rourke will wear. In honor of the occasion, I will make my Great-Aunt Matt's Hollywood Lemon Cake. This cake is great for parties, it's old fashioned and really easy. Everyone loves it. Sorry about the picture, this was the last piece.

Hollywood Lemon Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 Yellow Cake Mix

1 Box Lemon Jell-O

3 Eggs

2/3 cup Oil

1 cup water

2 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice

1 Tbsp Fresh Grated Lemon Zest, one lemon should do it

Combine all ingredients and mix with electric mixer for 2 minutes. Pour into prepared, (greased and floured), 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes if using glass, 30-40 if using metal. Cake is done when a toothpick or knife is inserted and comes out clean. Glaze upon removing from oven.

Glaze

2 cups Powdered Sugar

1/3 to 1/2 cup Fresh Lemon Juice, usually two lemons.

Mix glaze while cake is baking. When cake comes out of oven and while still hot, poke holes all over top with fork, going down to the bottom of the pan. Spread glaze over top of hot cake. I try not to let it all go down the sides, so glaze slowly.

Red Riding Trilogy

Based on David Peace's Red Riding Quartet, these three films were made for British TV, by BBC Channel 4. Written for the screen by Tony Grisoni. Titled 1974, 1980, and 1983. The three films also include actual events that have been greatly dramatized. Mainly, they are about two serial killers, amid the backdrop of rampant police corruption.

I kept hearing about these movies and how "Brilliant" they were. I still think there are a lot of reviewers who think if it's foreign, and obscure, it must be the best thing ever made. Elements of the films were like the finest of British Noir, think Get Carter. Gritty, bleak, and nihilistic. Those were the parts I liked.

Watching these three films was like watching paint dry in a foreign language. I know they were speaking English, I'm sure of it. However, with thick Yorkshire accents, who the hell could understand them, except a fellow Yorkshireman? You could not throw a cat without hitting a "nowt" or a "somat", I mean, I think Sean Bean turned in a fine performance, based on body language and facial expressions alone. All I know for sure is he was a construction contractor who was obsessed with swans, kind of skeezy and used the verb were way too much.

Which leads us to ALLEGORY. I had to shout it, because these films really whack you over the head with the concept. Wolves, rats, swans, corruption, innocence, sin, redemption, carnality, purity and on and on and on. Mostly, these films were confusing and disjointed. I don't think it helped having three different directors.

If you're looking for a gripping thriller about serial killers watch Silence of The Lambs or The Boston Strangler. If you want gritty Brit-Noir, rent Get Carter, the original with Michael Caine, or even The Third Man, voted number 1 film by the British Film Industry.

Lost Has Lost Me, Maybe

Lost is starting next week and we are finally supposed to get some answers. Hah, I say, hah. They lost me after the second or third season, I honestly can't remember. I did watch the season recaps, so I kind of kept up. The show has gotten more convoluted than a Univision daytime soap. I just have four questions:

1. Has this all been some kinky B.F. Skinner behaviour experiment?

2. What the hell was that smoke thing?

3. Are we gonna do the Time Warp Again?

4. Why isn't Sawyer naked more often?

These are the questions that might make me tune in for the last season. Unless it's all just a big lead up to "The Lost Movie". Then I'm really going to be pissed about the Sawyer thing.

French 75's

As I was watching Casablanca for the umpteenth time, I thought I'd write something about booze in the cinema. It's been done, better than I ever could by a guy at boozemovies.com, so I'll just tell you about my current favorite cocktail, The French 75.

One of the drinks that everyone at Rick's Cafe Americain seems to order is a champagne cocktail. There are a zillion recipes for champagne cocktails. There is one ordered by name, not by Yvonne, but by her companion, the rude Nazi, (is there any other kind?). The French 75. It's an old cocktail from the lost generation. Named after the French 75mm artillery gun used in World War I. Apparently after you drink a couple, you feel like you've been hit by one of these guns. It has enough booze in it to satisfy a Hemingway or Fitzgerald. Now, there is some controversy as to who invented it and should it be made with brandy or gin. I hear there's a certain bartender at Arnuad's in New Orleans who refuses to make it with gin, "We do not mix French wine with English liquor", can't you just hear someone saying that with a snooty French accent? I like them made with gin. Here's my tried and true recipe. Oh, and as Bogey would say, "Here's looking at you, kid".

French 75

2 oz London Dry Gin, I like Tanqueray
2 teaspoons superfine sugar
2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
Champagne, I like Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec, but any champagne will do

In a chilled cocktail shaker fill halfway with ice, add gin, sugar and lemon juice. Shake, then pour into a Collins glass, (who has those?), I just use a tall glass half filled with ice. Top with the champagne. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a maraschino cherry.

A Reliable Wife

I just finished reading A Reliable Wife. Set in 1907 Wisconsin, it's a story of love, redemption, violence, passion, and utter isolation. It's the oldest story in the world, told in a fresh, new way. Even if you don't normally read books like this, it says so much about the human condition, in such startling ways, you won't be able to put it down. It's psychologically suspenseful, you can't wait to get to the end, while at the same time, the writing is so beautiful you don't want it to end. It's erotic without being vulgar or naked in your face. Sony has purchased the screen rights, I can't wait to see who will be in the movie.

The King of Rock ‘n Roll and Ribs

Elvis would be 75 today. I can’t imagine him that old. It’s almost obscene that someone that cool could even be 75. Like Marilyn or James Dean. Believe me; before he got fat and pitiful, Elvis was the definition of cool.

I have made the pilgrimage to Graceland, in the guise of taking my 70 year old aunt to someplace she’s always wanted to see. Elvis did, indeed, have lousy taste in decorating even for the 1970’s. He did have nice chandeliers and yes, the Jungle Room is kind of awesome. He ate his breakfast there every day, right on the coffee table. I especially enjoyed his collection of TV’s with bullet holes.

As someone who likes to cook, I would have enjoyed cooking for Elvis. He seemed like the kind of guy who would have loved anything you made for him. One thing Elvis did love was ribs. Living in the Great White North, it’s hard to barbecue ribs when there is an R in the month but after much research I’ve come up with a pretty good oven method. I’m not including a sauce recipe, mine goes with me to the grave. Elvis would have wanted it that way…

Candy's Rock 'n Roll Ribs

Start with the rub

¾ cup Brown Sugar light or dark
1 Tblsp Paprika
1 Tblsp Garlic Powder
(Optional) 1 tsp Penzey’s Galena Street Rib Rub can be ordered from penzeys.com
or ½ tsp cayenne pepper

Mix the above ingredients.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

4 lbs Baby Back Ribs, some people remove the membrane on the under side of the ribs, I don’t, but you can if you want.

Salt and pepper the ribs and apply the rib rub all over.

Lay the ribs on two layers of foil with the shiny side out, cover the ribs with two layers of foil shiny side out. Seal edges tightly, turn edges up to seal really tight.

Place your rib packet on a baking sheet and bake for 2 to 2 and ½ hours, if your ribs are really meaty it could be 3 hours, or until the meat is starting to pull away from the bone.

Remove ribs from oven and turn heat up to 350 degrees.

Cut the ribs into serving size and place in baking dish, slather with your favorite sauce and place back in oven until sauce is bubbly. About ½ hour or so. I’d check on them after 20 min.

A Bread Pudding Kind of Day

I hate this time of year. After seeing and partaking of the season’s offerings for the last two months, all anyone can talk about is dieting. How passive aggressive is that? During this time of rabbit food and rice cakes, I give you comfort food. Even though we shouldn’t, we do comfort ourselves with food. It’s solitary and instantaneous. No one has to know, unless our butts start getting wider. As someone who managed to lose ten pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I can honestly say, you can still lose weight and treat yourself now and then. I think the more you deprive yourself, the harder you fall off the wagon. You know what I mean, the whole bag of cookies, or the whole container of ice cream, or the whole bag of Dove Promises, we reach for when we can’t stand one more carrot stick and it’s been the day from Hell. Try this recipe, it’s really good. You can have a little and the world won’t end.

Bread Pudding with Norma’s Hard Sauce

1 cup raisins
½ cup whisky or brandy

6 to 8 slices of bread, depending on how big your slices are, I like to use French or Italian
½ stick butter
4 eggs beaten
1 cup milk
1 cup half and half
2 tsp pure vanilla extract, I use double strength, but regular will do, as long as it’s not imitation.
1 cup light or dark brown sugar
1 tsp to 1 and ½ tsp cinnamon, if your cinnamon is really strong, like Saigon Cinnamon just use 1 tsp, if it’s just regular cinnamon use 1 and ½ tsp.

Place raisins in a small bowl, pour whisky or brandy over raisins, let sit for a couple of hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. You will turn oven down when you put your pudding in oven.

Tear bread into one inch pieces and place into a buttered 2 and 1/2 quart casserole. Melt the half stick of butter in the microwave. Whisk brown sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon with the melted butter. Drain raisins discard liquid. Add raisins to milk mixture and pour over bread, stir to combine. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes while the oven is heating. Turn oven down to 350 degrees and bake pudding for 50 to 60 minutes. Pudding will be puffy and set. I loosely cover with foil for the last 20 – 30 minutes so the raisins won’t burn. Serve with Norma’s (my mom) Hard Sauce.



Norma’s Hard Sauce

1 stick butter
1 and ½ cups confectioner’s sugar
½ tsp vanilla
2 Tbls whisky or brandy from the raisins if there is any left, otherwise from the bottle is fine.

Cream butter and confectioner’s sugar together. Add vanilla and whisky or brandy. Chill until used. Put a dab on warm bread pudding.