Happy Birthday MOMMY!!

There are not enough words to express how wonderful my mom is.  The year before last she was faced with some health issues that left our family scared, stronger and thankful when it was over.  Since then, she has embraced life and loves every moment.  She has fun, is open to all opportunities and enjoys every moment with the people that she is with.  The relationship she has with my Dad is one to be admired...something we should all aspire to in our own marriages. They are a beautiful example of how marriages can go through ups and downs but that it can also bring some of life's greatest blessings if you just hang in there.  I am proud to call them my parents and I don't know what I would do without them.
Today is my mom's birthday and we are celebrating with a family dinner.  I made an appetizer and a dessert and both were wonderful.  My mom LOVES goat cheese and almonds and she is not a fan of dessert but she sure does love bread pudding and let me tell you, I almost fell over when I saw her get a little more dessert.  The appetizer was very, very good and a different twist to the normal cheese ball.  I would probably add more goat cheese and less cream cheese if I made it again.  The bread pudding was amazing and even better the next day.  You can find the appetizer off of Laurens Latest Blog and the bread pudding was adapted from PlainChicken.com.  ENJOY!

Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Ball

Ingredients:

1-4 oz. package goat cheese (I used the full 4 oz)

12 oz. cream cheese (1 1/2 pkgs.)

1 onion, sliced thin

3 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons brown sugar

salt

pepper

1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley (I did not use this much)

1 cup toasted chopped almonds

Directions:

In large skillet over medium low heat, melt butter. Add in onions, salt and pepper and stir. Cook onions for 20-30 minutes on medium low heat stirring occasionally. (You want to hear a quiet sizzle. The onions should slowly start to turn into a golden brown color to a deeper brown.) When onions have cooked and have softened, sprinkle in brown sugar and stir to coat. Remove from heat and set aside.

In food processor, blend goat cheese and cream cheese to mix. Pour in slightly cooled onions and process again until mostly smooth. Stir in parsley, salt and pepper by hand. Using two spoons (or a small cookie scoop), scoop mixture into 24 even balls and place on waxed paper. Coat each cheese ball into toasted almonds. Store in refrigerator until ready to use. Serve with crackers, other cheeses and/or vegetables.

White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Ingredients:
12 Egg yolks (yep...12!)
1 c. Sugar
1/2 qt. heavy cream (the smaller carton)
18 oz. white chocolate chips (1.5 bags)
1.5 loaf of white bread, crust removed (I used french bread loaves..4 of them...and left the crust on because I do not like it very mushy.  It came out wonderful).
1/2 tsp vanilla flavoring
1 qt half and half (the full big carton)

Topping: 
1/2 c. butter
2 c. graham cracker crumbs
1/2 lb. brown sugar (1/2 the bag)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. cocoa powder

In a greased 9x13 baking dish, layer your bread into 3 layers. Cut and trim as necessary to get good coverage. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar until bright yellow. Heat the cream, half n half, and vanilla until it begins to boil. Add white chocolate chips to egg mixture and stir in the hot cream until all of the chocolate is melted. Pour this pudding mixture over the bread, making sure to manipulate the bread soaking every layer with the pudding mixture.

Topping procedure:

**The topping makes a lot and I did not use it all.  Don't feel like you need to pile it on because it will just burn**  Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Apply the topping by spreading it out evenly over the surface. Let the pudding stand for 15 minutes before you place it into the oven. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.