4 winter pudding with dried Recipes

a 12-oz bag of fresh cranberries , picked over, firm ripe-pear, peeled, cored, and chopped fine, light brown sugar, dried sour cherries (available at specialty foods shops) or golden raisins, chopped dried apricots, two 2-inch strips of lemon zest removed with a vegetable peeler, a 3-inch cinnamon stick, cranberry juice cocktail, vanilla, homemade-type white bread, crusts removed, lightly sweetened whipped cream as an accompaniment

glutinous rice, peanuts, pine nuts, lotus seeds, mixed dried fruit (raisins, kumquats, prunes, dates, etc.), water, sugar , more if needed

vanilla bean , split lengthwise, low-fat milk, boiling water, chopped dried mixed fruit, raisins, margarine, melted, thick) slices italian bread (about 6 1/2 oz), vegetable cooking spray, evaporated skimmed milk, sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, eggs, egg whites