Tonight we are hosting the first guests to our new appartment: Amy and Anna. They are headed out west, and what better way to go than through the city of the Arch, gateway to the west!
And, what better time to try out a new recipe (I know that one is not supposed to try out new recipes on guests, but without fail, I do it over and over again--sometimes to disastrous conclusions, but not tonight! Tonight's recipe was very comforting, and went like this:
Savory Bread Pudding
1/2 an onion, chopped
5-8 mushrooms (depending on size--ours were rather large) sliced
1 head broccoli, slightly steamed ahead of time to barely soften and diced
1 loaf "stale" (dry) bread (we used sundried tomato bread from, you guessed it, Free Bread Friday
3 cups 1/2 and 1/2 (or some mix of milk, heavy cream, and 1/2 and 1/2 to add to 3 cups)
5 eggs, beaten
butter
salt and pepper
Pre-heat oven to 350. Soften the onion and mushroom pieces in butter or olive oil over medium heat, and remove to a bowl. Add broccoli pieces to bowl, and set aside. Chop bread into slightly larger than bite-sized pieces and swipe through softened butter (enough to coat one side of the bread). Place a layer of buttered bread pieces into the bottom of a souffle-style pan (I used a 3 quart stainless steel pot) that you have prepped by buttering on all sides to prevent sticking. After one layer of bread, add a layer of veggies. Alternate layers to just shy of the top of the pan (the last layer should be bread). Then, mix cream, eggs, salt and pepper (to taste) and pour over layers. Push the concoction down with the flat of your hand to ensure that all the bread is soaking in the custard.
Place in the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard has set. Allow to rest for 15 minutes, and serve.
This would be excellent with either parmesan grated overtop or a bechamel sauce (or cheesy, white sauce) which would make it perfectly rich for a complete meal. Try other ingredients in place of my suggestions, though I must say, the broccoli was excellent! Some ideas include cheese, ham, or other veggies (think of this like an easy quiche). Enjoy!
Oh, and by the way, got a TON of stuff done today, and a walk around campus with the girls, AND a picnic lunch all due to the grace of a slightly cooler day today! Thank you Lord for storms and the refreshing breeze the one last night brought us, for a time!
6 comments:
I think pictures would be appropriate company for these recipes.
I agree with Spence. A picture would be lovely. After all, how is one to know that one messed up if there is nothing to compare it to ;)
wow, demanding audience....i'm afraid i'm not that technically up-to-date (remember, we ARE a poor, seminary couple right now) and don't have a good way to upload digital pictures. Perhaps if I start including a description of what it should look and feel and smell like as well? You are definitely giving me good challenge for my writing skills, thank you much....
bon appetit
If you guys would like a digital camera, I might be able to scrounge one up. It's a little old and beat up, but it should still work if my dad or little brother haven't broken it yet.
This is Rachel, not mom, and I think that your recipies sound wonderful. You should make our burritos, I have been craving them recently. I can't wait to read more. Much love sissy.
I think I could take you up on that camera offer, Spence! If you can tell me how to upload pictures, etc, that is!
Hey raej: we cooked veggie mamas the 3rd night we were here for our "downstairs neighbors". Sadly, there wasn't kale, however....I'll include that recipe later. Thanks for visiting, all! much love.
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