Chocolate Bread Pudding with Cayenne Coconut Cream (Vegan!!!)

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It’s March folks and boy did it come in like a lion. I can’t hear myself think over this wind outside! I can’t complain though; we’ve had a really mild winter… but I’m jonesing for spring colors, spring warm air, and yes, cooking out on the grill. Soon enough, soon enough. And not only is March the month of wind, it’s also “Farm Bill” month on Como Water.

This month, within the text of my recipe posts, I’ll be bringing Como Water readers through a basic tutorial of ‘the Farm Bill,” or arguably, the most comprehensive piece of legislation guiding our nation’s food system. I first learned about the Farm Bill in the context of my job. I still have a lot to learn, but as I became more and more acquainted with the legislation, it became clearer and clearer that I wanted to share what I learned with all of you.

The Farm Bill is a HUGE piece of legislation and gets really complicated, really quickly, so I thought I would break it down into small digestible parts over the course of the month. Specifically, I’ll be sharing: a) what the Farm Bill is, b) why every single person who eats should care about the Farm Bill, and c) what you can do personally to shape policy. So, here goes nothing… 🙂

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Farm Bill 101, Part 1: The full name of the latest Farm Bill is the “Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.” The bill outlines provisions on agriculture (incl. organic food), local food initiatives (i.e., Farmers Markets), subsidies, nutrition, rural development, grants to farmers, nutrition programs (like WIC and SNAP), energy, conservation, and food/agricultural research. The bill was last reauthorized in 2008. Many expect the Farm Bill to be reauthorized in 2012–this means the time is now to make your voice heard on our nation’s food supply.

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This month, I’ll also be finishing up the posts on super foods I never got to last month and will be featuring two super exciting guest bloggers. For now, I leave you with the loveliest (and only :D) vegan bread pudding I’ve ever had! It’s sweet, and chocolatey, and creamy, and the cayenne coconut cream gives this bread pudding such depth and subtle complexity that you’ll have to pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming! Haha 🙂

Chocolate Bread Pudding with Cayenne Coconut Cream

(Printable Recipe)

Ingredients:

1 demi baguette (day old)–cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1 can coconut milk

1/3 cup brown sugar

pinch salt

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup chocolate chips (vegan chocolate chips or carob chips)

Earth Balance (to grease ramekins)

turbinado sugar (for sprinkling)

Cayenne Coconut Cream (see below)

Method:

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cube baguette and set aside. Whisk coconut milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Toss in cubed bread and chocolate chips. Stir to combine. Let the bread soak in the custard mixture for at least 30 minutes stirring occasionally.

*Butter 6 small ramekins with Earth Balance. Heat 1 kettle of water until boiling. Turn down to medium low to keep warm. Coat inside of each ramekin with ~1 teaspoon of turbinado sugar. Divide soaked bread evenly between ramekins. Sprinkle the top of each filled ramekin with ~1 teaspoon of turbinado sugar. Add each ramekin to a large baking dish. Fill the baking dish halfway with hot water to create a bain marie (water bath). Bake in the center of the oven for 35-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the middle of bread pudding is set. Let the bread pudding cool slightly (~10-15 minutes) before serving. Serve with cayenne coconut cream.

Cayenne Coconut Cream

Ingredients:

1 can full fat coconut milk (chilled, fat only)

dash cinnamon

~1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1 tablespoon maple syrup

Method:

*Place can of coconut milk in the refrigerator at least 2 hours before making coconut cream. When ready to make coconut cream, remove can from refrigerator and skim coconut fat from the top, leaving the liquid behind (use it in a smoothie!). Add coconut fat to medium sized bowl with remaining ingredients. Beat with electric mixer until coconut fat thickens. Serve with bread pudding. Mmmmmmmmm.

Written by

Tiffany M. Griffin is the woman behind Como Water, Washington DC’s premiere veg-centric cuisine consulting company. Through cooking classes, demonstrations, catering, and consultations, Como Water gives people the opportunity to learn how to prepare veg-centric cuisine that boasts maximum flavor, with minimal effort. Tiffany is quickly becoming a go-to expert on the future of veg-centric cuisine, and is a regular contributor to Como Water, the blog, as well as to vegetarian and vegan sites across the Internet. For over a decade, this self-taught, entrepreneurial expert has developed a set of tried and true techniques for making simple, delicious, and sometimes decadent veg-centric dishes. Featured on the Steve Harvey Show and other leading media outlets, Tiffany was born and raised in Springfield, MA. She then earned Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Communications from Boston College and a PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Michigan. She now resides in Washington DC, where she has worked in the US Senate and at a federal agency on issues around health, food, nutrition, and international food aid/development, and of course, as the owner of Como Water. Tiffany gets culinary inspiration from the food she grew up eating, and from her travels throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Western Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa. She is dedicated to sharing her wealth of knowledge on veg-centric cuisine with others and to help others live by her mantra—love life, live long, and eat veg-centric cuisine!

Comments

  1. Sounds very delicious, never tried cayenne coconut

  2. Thanks for highlighting the Farm Bill – such an important piece of legislation!

    AND thank you for this incredible recipe! I cannot WAIT to make it – especially with that cream on top. I love a little heat with my desserts. I bet some toasted almonds or macadamia nuts would be awesome on top too!

  3. This looks delicious! I love your Farm Bill project – as a lawyer I know just how obtuse legislation can be, and it’s so cool that you’re making such an important piece more accessible.

  4. I don’t think I have ever had bread pudding. I will have to give this a try. I don’t think I will pinch myself though, I don’t want any bruises.

  5. Oh my goodness Tiffany…this sounds amazing! I have never seen such a delicious looking vegan bread pudding! I am loving the addition of the cayenne as well!

  6. This looks so delicious and mouthwatering my friend – I just want to gobble up that picture 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru
    Latest: Traditional Lemon Meringue Tart

  7. I love ALL of those things. This is going to the top of my to make list 🙂

  8. this is looks delicious, and easy, your presentation are great to!

    cheers

  9. I have never done choc bread pudding but your pics and recipe is tempting to try out soon. Very nice outcome.

  10. Oh you had me at chocolate bread pudding! but that cayenne coconut cream is a real show stealer! Sounds incredibly good!

  11. Wow Tiff, this is beyond thinking outside the box! Amazing and I can’t wait to try the coconut cream, crazy tasty! Thank you for the info on the farm bill, it’s something that we should pay close attention to.

  12. This looks ridiculous! yum yum yum! I love coconut whipped cream!

  13. Wow…this bread pudding looks fabulous. It’s one of my hubby’s favorite desserts. 🙂 I love that you kicked up the coconut cream with the cayenne… well done. 🙂

  14. What a fabulous recipe and super flavorful looking bread pudding! I love the ingredients you used in this. It looks irresistible, Tiffany!

  15. Hi Tiffany! Thanks so much on educating me about the Farm Bill. I, too, have so much to learn and I’m glad you are breaking it down for me. I will be sure to stay tuned! But chocolate and coconut together in a bread pudding! (And you though you had me at Farm Bill!). And look at that coconut cream. I know you made it…..but really….take another look at that! That is outrageous and all you need to do is pass me a spoon! LOVE this recipe! Your pictures are awesome! : )

  16. Oooh, this looks delectable! I love bread pudding, and I am not sure I’ve ever seen a Vegan version… and that cayenne coconut cream sounds perfect, I very much enjoy Mexican bread pudding with chilies in them.

  17. Wow Tiffany this really, really looks delicious and vegan too. That coconut cream has really got me. Well done.

  18. I love individual bread puddings–I can’t believe this is vegan, as luscious as it looks!

  19. Tiffany, I thought you couldn’t out do yourself but, girl, I do believe you’ve done it! Chocolate Bread Pudding is amazing enough, but Cayenne Coconut Cream? Wow. This is way creative, way cool, and I’ve GOT to make this soon.

    Cheers,
    Alaiyo

  20. Great recipe! I love bread pudding, but putting a bit of cayenne in too…genius!

  21. What’s not to love about this fabulous creation???? The cayenne coconut cream looks amazing with your decadent bread pudding 🙂

  22. I’m so glad you’ll be breaking down the bill! I wish more people understood why it’s so important and what needs to change in our food system!

  23. That looks so interesting! YUMMY!

  24. This is a must do recipe. It sounds easy and delicious! I am curious to taste the cayenne pepper in it…

  25. I have been drawn to coconutty things lately so this post is perfect timing. The chocolate , coconut and kick from the cayenne would definitely put a smile on my face. Delicious creation!

  26. wow tiff. this looks sooo good!!!

  27. Looks very very delicious! That whipped coconut fat looks so soft!

  28. Wow this looks delicious especially that cayenne coconut cream!

  29. Hmmm bread pudding! I’ve never made it before but the Cayenne Coconut Cream sounds like something I’d rather not to miss. 😉

  30. This looks so good and especially paired with coconut cream!

  31. Wow! Would you want to swap a slice of Tatin for this amazing bread pudding?! ;-D

  32. Very decadent! I love the sound of the cayenne coconut cream!

  33. Oh dear, spicy chocolaty bread pudding?! I want some! 🙂

  34. Wow, that’s so innovative. Loving the addition of cayenne coconut cream :).

  35. Thank you everyone for the comments! 😀

  36. I was poking around different blogs and popped into yours and this recipe caught my eye! Love my little ramekins and I can’t wait to try this bread pudding!

  37. I really appreciate that you’re talking about the Farm Bill. It is so important, and it’s nice to see a writer/blogger that cares! Also, this bread pudding looks AMAZING.

  38. I appreciate your effort to educate us on Farm Bill..Thank you!
    Your Chocolate Bread Pudding is MMM..so good looking, and welcome to my kitchen anytime:))
    Have a wonderful week ahead honey..can’t wait for your next yummy and healthy dish!!!!!

  39. Oh goodness gracious this looks delicious!

  40. I made this over the weekend for guests at a garden party. Two are vegan, the others are not. It was SPECTACULAR. Everyone loved it, vegan or not! Thanks!

    • YAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS for the comment! This TOTALLY made my day!