Bread Pudding

I don't eat things that don't taste good.  I mean, I'm southern so I eat it if it tastes good or if it will hurt someone's feelings if I don't eat it.  Or if my Dad says I have to.  Or if I told my son he has to eat it and I don't want to look like a hypocrite.  OK.  I prefer to eat things that taste good.  If it passes the "tastes good" test then it has to pass two more tests:  1.  Is it too difficult to make and 2.  Is it cheap.  Once those test have been passed then it becomes a dish we eat all the time.  Bread Pudding is one of those recipes.

Does it taste good?  Hell yes!

Is it difficult?  One bowl, one pan and in a pinch you can just do it all in the pan.

Is it cheap?  Because I usually have all the ingredients in the house and I'm rescuing bread that has gone stale it is usually free for me!

You will need:  One loaf stale bread (french bread or bakery bread is best... don't use sliced sandwich bread.), 3 cups whole milk, 1 stick butter (melted), 4 eggs, 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 2 tbs. vanilla, 3/4 tsp. nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1 box raisins (this can be substituted for apples or nuts or chocolate chips... whatever you want really)

Step One:  If you are buying some bread specifically to make this, cut it into cubes while it is still fresh and allow it to go stale.  Fresh (real) bread won't get moldy if you leave it out, it just gets stale.  I always make this when I've bought too much bread and it goes stale.  Once the whole loaf goes stale don't try to cut it.  Put it in a bag and hit it with a hammer.

Step Two:  Mix all of the ingredients, EXCEPT the bread, in a bowl.  (Sorry I forgot to take a picture of this step.)

Step Three:  Put the bread in the bowl with the liquid and mix around until it is all submerged.

Let this soak for an hour.  Mix occasionally to make sure all the bread is getting soaked.

While this is happening heat the oven to 350.

By the time it is ready to go into the pan it will be fairly "smushy".  That's when you know it is ready.

Step Four:  Pour into a pan.  A 13x9 is best.  Glass or metal or ceramic all work fine.  No need to grease the pan.

Bake on 350 for an hour.

When it comes out of the oven it should be brown and bubbly and smell WONDERFUL!!!

Enjoy!