Savory Bread Pudding

Since the days of frenzied cookie-making are past us (at least until next year), I noticed it's been awhile since I posted a recipe. For shame!

Recently I had a large baguette going stale on top of my fridge, and I - lover of all things bread - could not see it go into the trash.

I whipped up this great bread pudding for supper - and it  meets all my criteria: easy, cheap, and not so much a "recipe" as a few guidelines ready for my mantra "guesstimate, approximate and taste".  This "pudding" has all the goodness of quiche, but is easier to make - what could be better?

Savory Bread pudding

stale baguette
1/2 medium onion (diced)
2 large cloves garlic (minced)
2 cups milk (low fat or high test - either one works)
3 whole eggs
2 egg whites
2 cups shredded cheese (I used 1 cup Parmesan and 1 cup cheddar - but use what you've got)
2 cups leftover cooked veggies (I used 1 cup steamed broccoli, and 1 cup mushrooms which I sauteed with the garlic and onions*).
a few sprigs of thyme (the last harvest before my plant bit the dust)
salt/pepper
1 pinch nutmeg
2 tbs butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Coat a 9x13 pan with a quick spritz of non-stick cooking spray.
Cube up most of one of those very long french baguettes you get at the grocery store (about 9 cups). It's best if the bread is stale and dry. Put the bread in the pan, in a relatively even layer.

In a small saute pan - cook up the onion and garlic (*and the mushrooms and thyme if you've got 'em) in a little olive oil until soft and fragrant. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl whisk together the eggs and milk, then add in 1/2 of the cheese and your onion mixture (plus any additional leftover, cooked veggies).

Pour over the bread and press down with your hands for 5 minutes to help the bread absorb the custard mixture.

Spread the remaining cheese over the top, dot with butter, and bake for 45 minutes until the pudding is set and browned.

Serve hot, cold or room temp with a nice salad - good stuff!

Comfort food!