Solo Thanksgiving

Life with a mood disorder is always quick to change. I was going to go to the family dinner tonight at my SIL's parents' place, but at the last minute bailed because I wasn't feeling up to it. I am also in hormone hell right now, so I opted for a feast for one. I went to my local overpriced grocery store and bought a roasting chicken, some nugget potatoes, and some snacky things. I also bought the ingredients for a dessert I've been wanting to make for a long time.

My dinner was very simple as you can see, but I did enjoy the chips & dip I munched on this afternoon as I watched a movie, and though my fare was plain and easy to make, I am stuffed and satisfied.

As for the dessert, it was also simple and easy to prepare, but man was it good! About a year ago, I came across this recipe for Pumpkin Bread Pudding in the Oct. 2007 issue of Bon Appetit, and I cut it out and saved it in my recipe binder. I made a loaf of pumpkin bread earlier this week (post and recipe upcoming - stay tuned) and had 3/4 cup leftover canned pumpkin. The pudding recipe called for exactly that amount of pumpkin, and the rest of the ingredients I either had on hand or were cheap and easy to find - this is bread pudding after all.

It certainly smelled wonderful as it baked, and it looked beautiful when I took it out of the oven. After letting it cool for a while as I did my dishes, I finally dug in. And...It was totally awesome! Rich, very rich, but to die for! Definitely a keeper recipe - and I can't believe I waited all this time to make it. Unfortunately, I don't come from a bread pudding-loving family, so I'm not sure how it would go over with the crowd, but I was impressed. It also gave me another idea: pumpkin French toast! I can just see - and taste - it now!

To all my Canadian friends and readers, have a happy Thanksgiving!