Pecan Currant Bread Recipes

CURRANT CARDAMOM BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Mix eggs, butter, apple syrup, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt. together in a large bowl. Stir in half and half and milk. Place cubed bread and currants into a large baking dish. Stir in the egg mixture until bread is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Uncover the baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH, PECANS AND CURRANTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Cut the squash in two at the base of the neck, discarding the hollow bulb end or reserving for another use. Peel the rest and slice into 1/2-inch disks. Toss the squash in a large roasting pan with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, thyme and salt and pepper to taste, and arrange in a single layer. Roast the squash, turning once halfway through, until tender and beginning to brown, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, combine garlic and one tablespoon of the remaining olive oil. Sauté until fragrant and tender, about one minute. Add pecans and sugar, and toss until the sugar has melted and the pecans are lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Whisk the vinegar into the remaining olive oil. Add the pecan mixture, currants and chili flakes. Mix well, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Arrange the squash on a warm platter and top with some or all of the dressing.

EASY IRISH SODA BREAD WITH CURRANTS

Steps:

• Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl.
• Add dried currants and mix with a wooden spoon.
• Add the buttermilk and mix with a wooden spoon until it forms a sticky dough. If the dough is overly sticky, add a little more flour.
• Knead dough a few times in the mixing bowl or on a floured surface until it forms a round loaf. It will start out sticky and crumbly but after you knead it a few times, the dough will come together.
• Shape dough into a round and place in a Dutch oven with a lid.
• Cut two criss-cross slices into the top of the bread with a knife (see photo above). Brush the leftover buttermilk over the top of the bread.
• Bake covered for 30 minutes at 425F/215C and then about 15 minutes uncovered. The bread is done when golden brown and the internal temp is 180F/82C.
• Let bread cool on a wire rack. Place a couple pats of butter over the bread and let them melt as the bread cools.

PECAN CURRANT BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F with rack in middle.
• Whisk together dry ingredients, pecans, and currants in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients until combined well.
• Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined. Transfer batter to a well-buttered 9- by 5-inch loaf pan, smoothing top, and bake until golden-brown and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 1/4 hours.
• Cool in pan on a rack 10 minutes, then turn out onto rack and cool 1 hour more.

CURRANT PECAN STUFFING

Steps:

• Combine currants and Sherry in medium bowl. Let stand until currants are plump, about 30 minutes.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery and fines herbes. Sauté until tender, about 7 minutes. Set aside.
• Place stuffing cubes in bowl. Melt 1/2 cup better in 2 cups water in saucepan over medium heat. Pour over stuffing cubes. Add currant mixture, vegetable mixture and pecans. Toss to combine. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)