Bread Pudding

We frequently scout the Walmart bargain rack when we go shopping - and usually, if there is French bread, we get it! The problem with French bread is that it gets stale really fast - that is just the nature of the stuff.

A couple weeks ago, we tried out this recipe for bread pudding, using the remainder of a loaf of French bread we had in our fridge. The original recipe can be found here; we altered it a bit so we could use ingredients we had on hand.

Bread Pudding
2 cups milk (the original recipe calls for whole milk)
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups bread, torn up into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup raisins

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Tear bread and place in a lightly greased baking dish (I used a 9*9 square pan). If you like raisins, put them in the baking dish as well. You might need to hand-mix them so they are evenly distributed.
2. Heat milk and butter in a medium saucepan, stirring so it does not scorch. Let butter melt completely. Cool to lukewarm.
3. Combine sugar, eggs, spices, and vanilla and mix with an electric mixer. Add milk/butter mixture; combine well.
4. Pour this mixture on the bread and raisins in the baking dish. Try to get all of the bread wet with the batter.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until set.

We enjoyed it warm, with ice cream!!

La soupe delicieuse

What can you make that is fast, easy, delicious, and will satisfy your appetite for things French?

French Onion Soup, of course!

French Onion Soup
1 packet onion soup mix
1 loaf French bread, sliced
Swiss cheese, sliced, enough to cover the slices of French bread you plan to eat (or, if you can find it, use French Gruyère cheese)

1. Prepare onion soup as directed on package.
2. Slice French bread into thick slices that will fit into the bowls you are planning to eat from.
3. Put bread slices on a baking sheet and place in the oven at about 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until hot.
4. Place bread into bowls. Lay cheese slices on top.
5. Pour HOT soup over bread and cheese. The cheese will melt (in theory).
6. Serve soup by itself for a light but filling meal, or enjoy as an appetizer with your favorite French entrée.

French bread ready to go into the oven... with some garlic bread in the back, too

Walmart brand even makes onion soup mix!

Soup, simmering

French bread with Swiss cheese

Pouring soup over bread & cheese

Cheese, melted onto bread

oxox