Panettone (Bread Machine)

Panettone is a traditional Italian bread that is most prevalent during Christmas and Easter. My mother's kitchen always emitted the beautiful aroma of this bread before these holidays and she would make them to give away as gifts to friends and neighbors.

Here is my favourite recipe for the breadmaker.

3 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup candied mixed peel and citron
1/2 cup milk
3 eggs beaten
2 egg yolks beaten
1/2 cup butter softened
1 teaspoon anise extract
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 teaspoons each of grated orange and lemon peel
2 teaspoons yeast

Mix 1 tbsp of the flour with raisins, candied peel and citron. Add milk, eggs, butter, anise, sugar, salt, orange and lemon peels in bread machine pan or proceed as per manufacturer's instructions. Turn on machine and set to normal/basic bread setting, choosing light colour setting if available. Sprinkl reserved fruit mixture into machine when fruit alarm sounds or just as second kneading is ending. Makes one 1 1/2 lb. loaf.

Bahama Mama Punch

With the warmer weather, I'm starting to think about sipping a tropical drink while lounging on my deck.

An old favourite of mine for parties is the Bahama Mama Punch. There are lots of variations, but this makes a simple but powerful punch for the backyard barbeque and outdoor party. The recipe calls for 2 full bottles of liquor, but since I'm not much of a drinker, I prefer to cut the liquor in half. It's entirely up to you.

1 can unsweetened pineapple juice (the very, very large size equal to about 8 to 12 cups)
1 can unsweetened orange juice (the same size as the pineapple juice above)
1 26 oz. Caruba Rum (dark)
1 26 oz. Coconut Rum liquor

Mix all ingredients in a punch bowl. Add lots of ice. Decorate with orange slices and marschino cherries.