Posted by Nashua Telegraph, NH on June 17, 2009 at 11:53:14:
Raspberries brighten bread pudding
By SALLY BASHALANY Correspondent
After a vacation on the island of St. Croix, Denise LaRoche returned to her Hudson home determined to replicate a tasty treat she had sampled one evening. When she read about the current Culinary Delights contest, she decided it was a perfect opportunity to come up with her own version of the bread pudding dessert.
"I had never had bread pudding with white chocolate before," said LaRoche, who added her favorite fruit – raspberries – to the mix.
Her version is quite the opposite of the Caribbean island dessert, which featured caramel with the white chocolate.
"I didn't get to talk to the chef about the recipe," said LaRoche, who created her own version from memory once back in the States.
Because raspberries were out of season, LaRoche had to rely on the supermarket produce, and noted that the berries are expensive.
When her children were young, LaRoche would take them berry picking and since the invention of this recipe, she plans to find a local farm where she can pick raspberries to her heart's content when they come into season this summer.
Because of the expense, LaRoche will reserve this dessert for special occasions.
"I would serve it for a small gathering because of the expense and because it has to be heated," she explained. Due to the latter reason, LaRoche doesn't think this would be a good recipe to tote to potluck gatherings.
A repeat Culinary Delights weekly winner, LaRoche is also making her name known in other culinary circles.
"I've had a whirlwind of a year with recipe contests," she said. LaRoche took top honors in a recent Hood contest for her New England Lobster Cobbler and for a Lenders Bagel contest. She was also a finalist for the "Top Chef" Viewer Quickfire Challenge contest. LaRoche became involved with culinary contests through the Cooking Contest Central Web site. She recently entered "the big Kahuna of all contests," the Pillsbury bake-off, and awaits word on her entry.
LaRoche works for the National Passport Center where she belongs to YPro, a young professionals group that does fundraising for area charities. The group is planning a bake-off to raise money for a local food pantry.
"Cooking can bring people together," she said.
LaRoche and her husband, Bob, have four children, all on their own now. Having to cook for two has not been an issue for LaRoche, especially during the summer when a local farm stand, Smith Farm, sells its fresh produce right around the corner from her home.
"On my way home from work, I stop by and pick up what I need for dinner," said LaRoche, who appreciates Smith's wide array of produce.
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