Irish Cheddar And Vegetable Bread Pudding Recipes

Steps:

• Spread bread slices out on a cutting board and leave out for a few hours to stale a bit.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, set aside.
• Spread butter evenly over the six slices of bread (one side only-not both!), and cut the slices in to fourths.
• Spray a round 8 or 9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the cut bread slices around in the pan to make somewhat of a spiral pattern , keeping the buttered side up and the cut edges facing the same direction.
• Sprinkle the raisins evenly over the top, followed by the cinnamon/sugar mixture.
• Whisk the eggs and milk together in a bowl and pour over the bread. Allow to sit for 15 minutes so that the bread can absorb the liquid.
• Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Serve warm. If desired, sprinkle some powdered sugar for garnish. In Ireland, they like to pour a bit of cream on top.

Steps:

• Make soda bread:
• Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle.
• Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and caraway in a large bowl. Add buttermilk and butter. Stir just until dough is evenly moistened but still lumpy.
• Transfer dough to a well-floured surface and turn dough to coat with flour. Gently knead with floured hands about 8 times to form a soft but slightly less sticky dough.
• Form into a domed 6-inch round and put on an ungreased baking sheet. Cut a 1/2-inch-deep "X" across top of each loaf with a sharp knife. Using a small sieve, dust 1 tablespoon of additional flour over loaf.
• Bake in middle of oven until golden brown and bottom sounds hollow when tapped, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer loaf to a rack and cool completely.
• Make puddings:
• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter ramekins or baking dish.
• Cut enough bread into 1-inch cubes to measure 3 3/4 cups (about half the loaf; reserve remaining bread for another use.) Divide bread among ramekins (or spread in larger baking dish).
• Whisk together eggs, milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir in cheese and spoon over bread in ramekins or baking dish. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Put ramekins or baking dish in a larger baking pan and add enough hot water to come halfway up sides of ramekins or dish.
• Bake until just set and a knife inserted in center comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
• Transfer ramekins or dish from hot water bath to a rack and cool 20 minutes before serving.