Three-cheese Caramelised Onion and Bacon Bread Pudding

, from Issue #108. March, 2023
Three-cheese Caramelised Onion and Bacon Bread Pudding

Great for using up stale bread and any leftover cheese, you could use ham in place of the bacon and also nestle in cooked pumpkin or greens.

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes plus 15 minutes for soaking
Scale: easy

Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS

250 grams streaky bacon
8-10 slices country-style bread
50 grams spreadable butter
1 cup purchased caramelised onions
1½ cups cream
1½ cups milk
2 large eggs
2 additional large egg yolks
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoon wholegrain mustard
sea salt and ground pepper
1 cup grated sharp cheddar
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
150 grams brie, sliced

Equipment
6-cup capacity ovenproof baking dish

METHOD

Place the bacon on a baking tray and cook in the oven until lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Drain on kitchen towels and set aside.

Butter the bread and arrange in the dish. Dollop the onions between the bread and nestle in the bacon. Whisk the cream, milk, eggs and yolks, garlic and the mustard together in a large bowl. Season well with salt and pepper. Stir in the cheddar and parmesan.

Pour over the top, spooning over any cheese left in the bowl.

Top with the brie and leave to sit for 15 minutes for the bread to soak up the custard. 

Bake for about 40 minutes or until the custard is fully set in the middle and the top is golden brown and puffed up. 

COOK’S NOTE: Serve with a crisp lettuce salad to cut though the richness or lightly cooked greens like broccoli or green beans.