Apricot Apple and Banana Pudding

On its own, milk pudding can be boring or can be easily tiresome. Adding a mixture of fruits is one way to give it more life, flavor and vibrant color. In this recipe, sliced bananas, apricots and apples are made up as base of this delicious pudding recipe. This makes a luxurious breakfast. It is also an elegant dessert that you won’t get bored of soon. These three fruits combine well together to give full texture, color, and flavor and to create harmony in the palate and invigorate the senses.

You need scalded milk, sugar, flour, eggs, and vanilla extract to make the pudding. When making this recipe use fresh fruits. This is a great dish to make when apricots are in season. Bananas and apples are typically available all year round. Make sure that just before making the pudding is the time you peel and slice the fruits since they oxidize and change color once exposed to air.

Before adding it to the other ingredients you also need to scald the milk so timing is crucial when making this recipe. Scalded milk, technically, is milk that has been heated to 180 degrees F, a temperature that destroys the enzyme in the milk and kills any present bacteria. In scalded milk many of the proteins are also denatured. The milk is heated just to the edge of boiling. In the process of scalding the milk it is important to keep a watchful eye on it to prevent it from boiling over, scorching or burning. A kitchen thermometer should be used ideally to monitor the temperature of the milk.

The scalded milk makes a difference in the texture of the pudding. Use a heavy bottomed saucepan or double boiler to scald the milk. Use whole milk and a candy or fry thermometer, which can be clipped onto the saucepan. At 180 degrees over low heat, the milk will lightly froth. You will see tiny bubbles forming around the edges of the pan.

Ingredients

6 3/4 oz. (5/6 cup) milk, scalded

6 tablespoons sugar

½ cup flour

2 well beaten eggs

4 apricots cut into halves

2 bananas, sliced

2 medium apples, peeled, cored, sliced

1 teaspoon rice vanilla extract

1. Mix the sugar, flour, eggs and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Then slowly add the milk and mix well.

2. Into a pudding tray pour all the chopped fruits. Pour the milk mixture over this.

3. In a pan of water place the pudding dish. Bake in a 180 degree F. preheated oven for 30-35 minutes.