Panettone Pudding - Italian Bread Pudding with a twist!

Do you like Italy?
Do you like Bread?
Do you like Raisins?
Do you like Walnuts?
Do you like dried Apricots?
Do you like Maple Syrup infused with vanilla flavored milk?

Did I hear you say Yes? What would you say if I combine all of it together? Did I hear YES YES YES ? Then Apricot Panettone Pudding is for you :-) This being a festive month, I can see wonderful decorations and frenzy shopping everywhere.Here we are leading our own separate quiet lives amongst christmas'sy celebrations everywhere when my husband informs about one American guest for dinner! Being vegetarians, although I sure did come up with a 3 course meal, I was dumbstruck for a dessert! I wanted to make something traditional keeping the month in mind, something special and different.(think)(think)(blink!!!) Bread Pudding.!

I have this recipe which I have adapted from a cookbook and which is a traditional Bread pudding with a twist. Heart Healthy and Soul (yup!mine) Healthy. Panettone is an Italian Bread which is enjoyed during Christmas and New Years. Its rich with raisins and fruit zests.



A quick search in the internet tells us about the benefits

1. Dried apricots are especially rich in carotene, which are the natural yellow pigments that the body uses to make Vitamin A.
   
   
2. Overall, dried apricots have a far greater nutritional value than the fresh ones because all the nutrients are concentrated.
   
   
3. The Beta carotene is known to lower the risk of cataracts,heart disease and some forms of cancer.
   
   
4. Walnuts are very rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and are important for betterment of our cardiovascular health and blood pressure. For more info refer here
   

I have avoided the use of eggs,too much sugar and heavy cream ( Then what in God's name is left you say? Wait, watch and make to see :) )

Ingredients

• 12 ounces of Panettone , sliced into squares ( I used approximate measures needed to fill my baking dish )
  
  
• 1/4 cups dried apricots,chopped
  
  
• One cup of chopped walnuts ( more the better for that crunch! )
  
  
• 2 1/2 cups reduced fat milk ( again it depends on the size of your baking dish )
  
  
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  
  
• 2 tbsp maple syrup ( It is a v good and healthy sugar substitute. It is heart healthy and good for our immune system. For more info refer here )
  
  
• a pinch of nutmeg powder
  
  
• Light brown sugar for sprinkling
  

Method

1.Grease a shallow baking dish with Pam Butter flavored Spray. Arrange half the panettone in the dish.



2.Scatter all the chopped apricots on the bread and half of walnuts. Then add another layer of Panettone on top of it.

3.Heat the milk and vanilla extract in a saucepan. Simmer for a while and then add the maple syrup and nutmeg and whisk well.



4.Pour the milk on the dish,lightly pressing down the bread till it submerges in the milk.



5.Leave it to infuse for 5-10min. Preheat the Oven to 425F.



6.Sprinkle the rest of the walnuts and brown sugar and bake for 10-15min or until golden.



Wasnt that quick and easy in keeping with festive mood? The Walnuts give a delicious crunch to it and the raisins and maple syrup the sweetness to this Pudding. This is my entry for
Bee's Click Event- Nuts,
Zorra's High Sugar Fridays - Pudding , and to
Dear lathamma for AFAM - Dried Fruits