Indian Pudding

• 5 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2/3 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup raisins (optional)
• vanilla ice cream (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 300º F. Butter an 8 x 8 baking dish, preferably glass. Heat the milk in a medium saucepan over low to medium heat. Whisk in the cornmeal and stir until the mix thickens--about ten minutes. Add the other ingredients and stir until heated through but not boiling. Pour it into the dish. Bake it for about three hours. Serve warm with ice cream!