Quick weeknight dessert

I have become almost obsessed with not wasting food, including leftovers.  Once upon a time, I couldn't have cared less about leftovers but Neil has gradually made me see the light. If I don't want to heat them up and have them again, I'll find a way to turn them into something else. Once a French baguette begins to harden, I throw it into the food processor and make bread crumbs. These keep really well in the freezer, BTW.  If making Neil's favorite key lime pie, I freeze the leftover egg whites for something else later. Leftover pork chops?  I make "house" fried rice out of them...and whatever else I can find in my fridge.

Recently, we had purchased some of those cute mini-croissants from the bakery.  These little guys are the perfect sandwich size for my daughter.  But, we had a few left in the container and they were just staring at me every time I walked into the kitchen.  A few days had gone by and I realized it was time to change them into something else.  After a bit of thought, I opted for a simple bread pudding.

I just tore the croissants into pieces. I placed them into an 8" baking dish and drizzled about 1 Tbs melted butter over.  Next, I mixed 2 beaten eggs, 1 cup milk, about 1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp vanilla.  I sprinkled some raisins over the bread, then poured the egg mixture over.  You'll want to press down on the bread a bit so it soaks up the egg mixture. Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes until the top springs back when tapped.

Neil and Vivi went crazy over this.  It was ridiculously easy to put together and it baked while we had our chicken enchiladas for dinner.  And, no croissants went to waste!

Recent Thoughts

Some recent culinary observations:

• roasted cabbage is a new favorite at my house
• I make a pretty mean chicken parmesan
• people love pizza from Grecian Gardens
• banana pudding makes us Southerners happy
• realizing you don't have an onion can be devastating
• nobody does s'mores correctly anymore
• I have missed the rush of a good couponing heist
• my child tried to convince me that her teacher snacks on croissants & feta cheese during her piano lesson
• I am in love with our new fridge

Croissants and Honey on a Rainy Morning

I have so many great memories from being a kid.  I find that my daily goal is to create one good memory for my little girl.  Create a great one; well, that's just a bonus.  Quite some time ago, I discovered that Vivi loves croissants.  I mean really, who in their right mind doesn't? Now that she's entered "Big Kid-dom" going to restaurants with her is becoming not only easier, but more fun for Mommy.  We are developing a little every-now-and-then ritual that I just adore.  Periodic Mommy-Vivi breakfasts at the Gourmet Shop.

We both had the day off yesterday since it was Good Friday.  So, we already had the plan to head down to the Gourmet Shop for croissants (or "guh-sonts" as Vivi calls them).  Add a nice, gray, rainy morning to the mix and it was a perfect breakfast date. Vivian loves ordering milk there because instead of a styrofoam cup, lid and straw they bring her the milk in a "grown up" coffee cup with the sippy lid.  It makes her feel very adult.  And, of course, there are the croissants. These are the real thing too.  They serve them with butter, which is funny because they are made with like a pound of butter per dozen, and this really nice seedless raspberry jam.  But this time, Vivi surprised me by asking for honey with hers.  Nice touch, really.  

So, the two of us enjoyed our guh-sonts, milk for her, coffee for me and listening to the rain pelt Saluda Avenue outside the open french doors.  I love dates with my baby!