Bread Pudding versus Stuffing

They are alter egos, one a sidekick to a main course, and the other a well known, but underappreciated dessert. Both are made primarily of bread, but despite their similarities, they are worlds apart. Stuffing, or "dressing" as it is called in its casserole form, is practically a celebrity in November. It is a must have item that can be made any number of ways: how about sausage, or maybe you prefer it with fruits and veggies, or what about seafood...there are endless possibilities ranging far and wide. Despite all its glory though, it still stands in the shadows of the Thanksgiving star turkey. For me though, stuffing IS thanksgiving. Only once year, I look forward to the day when I get a big plate of those deliciously moist breadcrumbs with a side of turkey and green beans. Meanwhile bread pudding, with its custard-coated croutons complete in its own right, is often forgotten. Perfect in the winter months, this cozy, comforting dessert gets superceded by pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and apple pie. This dessert is scrumptious drizzled with caramel or raspberry sauce and doesn't need to be alamode to make you swoon. So while we celebrate the holidays with our turkey and ham, lets remember the beauty of bread in all its forms.