Oxford University

The oldest university in the English-speaking world is housed in the city of Oxford. The colleges that makeup the university are known for some of the finest architecture in Europe. As we walk the cobble-stoned streets, the academic ambiance permeates the air..I can almost see the literary geniuses that studied here.

Christ Church, The Bodleian and New College helped create the backdrop that became Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Oscar Wilde,
Indira Ghandi, Dr. Seuss, Steven Hawking, Albert Einstein, Bill Clinton...just to name a few...studied here. The architecture, the formal gardens and streets linking one college to another is amazing.

I soaked in as much as I could for today...I even feel smarter....does this make me an honorary Oxonian?

After a long day, we enjoyed another wonderful meal and of course enjoyed my new favorite dessert: Sticky Date Pudding with Toffee Sauce. This dessert seemed to be the favorite on everyone's list. As the Brits say: 'It's absolutely scrummy!"

Here is the recipe if you're interested:

STICKY DATE PUDDING WITH TOFFEE SAUCE

1 3/4 c packed pitted dates (@ 10 oz)
2 c water
1 1/2 t baking soda
2 c all purpose flour
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t ground ginger
1/2 t salt
3/4 sticks (6 T) unsalted butter, softened
1 c granulated sugar
3 large eggs

FOR SAUCE

1 3/4 STICKS (3/4 c plus 2 T) unsalted butter
1 1/2 c packed light brown sugar
1 c heavy cream
1/2 t vanilla
ACCOMPANIMENT: vanilla ice cream

PREPARATION:

MAKE PUDDING:

PREHEAT OVEN TO 375 F. AND BUTTER AND FLOUR AN 8" SQUARE BAKING PAN ( 2 INCHES DEEP).

COARSELY CHOP DATES AND IN A 1 1/2 TO 2 QUART SAUCEPAN SIMMER DATES IN WATER UNCOVERED FOR 5 MINUTES.

REMOVE PAN FROM HEAT AND STIR IN BAKING SODA. (MIXTURE WILL FOAM). LET MIXTURE STAND FOR 20 MINUTES.

WHILE MIXTURE IS STANDING, INTO A BOWL SIFT TOGETHER FLOUR, BAKING POWDER, GINGER, SALT. IN A LARGE BOWL WITH AN ELECTRIC

MIXER BEAT TOGETHER BUTTER AND SUGAR UNTIL LIGHT AND FLUFFY. BEAT IN EGGS ONE AT A TIME, BEATING WELL AFTER EACH ADDITION.

ADD FLOUR MIXTURE IN 3 BATCHES, BEATING AFTER EACH ADDITION UNTIL JUST COMBINED. ADD DATE MIXTURE AND WITH A WOODEN

SPOON STIR BATTER UNTIL JUST COMBINED WELL.

POUR BATTER INTO BAKING PAN AND SET PAN IN A LARGER BAKING PAN. ADD ENOUGH HOT WATER TO LARGER PAN TO REACH HALFWAY UP

SIDES OF SMALLER PAN AND BAKE IN MIDDLE OF OVEN UNTIL A TESTER COMES OUT CLEAN....35 TO 40 MINUTES. REMOVE SMALLER PAN FROM

WATER BATH AND COOL PUDDING TO WARM ON A RACK.

MAKE SAUCE WHILE PUDDING IS COOLING

IN A 1 1/2 TO 2 QUART HEAVY SAUCEPAN MELT BUTTER OVER MODERATE HEAT AND ADD BROWN SUGAR. BRING MIXTURE TO A BOIL STIRRING

OCCASIONALLY, AND STIR IN CREAM AND VANILLA. SIMMER SAUCE, STILL STIRRING OCCASIONALLY UNTIL THICKENED SLIGHTLY, ABOUT 5

MINUTES. COOL SAUCE TO WARM.

CUT WARM PUDDING INTO SQUARES. SERVE WITH ICE CREAM AND WARM SAUCE.

Enjoy!

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