First, let me just say that this is a very rich dish not meant to be eaten in large portions. A wonderful lunch or dinner with a salad eating only a small serving size.  Eating rich dishes and staying thin is all about portion control and exercise.  It’s important to me that I don’t encourage anyone to overeat.  With that said let’s get on to this wonderful bread pudding.  Until recently I only thought of bread pudding as a rich dessert that I occasionally indulged.  One summer in New Hampshire I ordered savory bread pudding and I was hooked.  I made my bread pudding with heirloom tomatoes that I picked fresh from my garden along with my fresh herbs. You can add different veggies to the recipe. Experiment, have fun and enjoy a wonderfully richly flavorful dish.

Savory Bread Pudding with Heirloom Tomatoes, Herbs and Mozzarella

1(1pound) loaf crusty white bread

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh thyme

2 tablespoon fresh basil

1 tablespoon fresh oregano

1 garlic clove, minced

3 tablespoon olive oil

2 shallots, chopped

2 cloves garlic chopped

2 cups chopped heirloom tomatoes

3 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

8 large eggs

1 teaspoon black pepper

8 ounces fresh mozzarella chopped into 1-in cubes

2 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 375 F. Butter or spray with cooking spray a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Cut bottom crust and short ends off bread, discarding. Cut remaining bread with crust into 1-inch cubes(about 10 cups loosely packed). Place cubes in a large bowl. Add oil, thyme, basil, oregano, and garlic; toss to coat. Spread bread cubes out on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake until golden and slightly crunchy, stirring occasionally, about 15-20 minutes. Return toasted bread cubes to the same bowl.

Add olive oil to a large skillet. Add shallot and garlic saute about 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes continuing to cook for an additional 5 minutes. Set aside.

Whisk heavy cream, eggs, salt and ground pepper in a large bowl. Mix egg mixture into bread. Place 1/3 of bread and egg mixture in prepared pan.  Layer with 1/2 tomato then cheese. Continue layering 1/3 bread then 1/2 tomato and cheese then finally remaining 1/3 bread mixture. Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese.  Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

Preheat oven 350 F. Bake uncovered until set and top is golden about 50-60 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Enjoy!

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