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Artichoke and Parmesan Bread Pudding

Artichoke and Parmesan Bread Pudding

While I don’t generally like bread puddings all that much, and have mentioned that I far prefer ones that can be sliced, like my Restaurant Style Bread Pudding, to ones that must be scooped, there are a few that aren’t too bad. And there are also occasions when it is good to know how to whip one up, since they are versatile, easy and quite popular.

This one falls into the “not too bad” category – by which I mean that it is very good. I’m just not quite willing to come to terms with my enjoyment of this particular bread pudding just yet. I’m sure that once I’ve made this another time or two, I’ll come around.

Bread pudding is chopped up, slightly stale bread that has been soaked in a milk/egg mixture. I usually cut my bread into 3/4-inch ot 1-inch chunks and let it sit out during the day to “stale.” I rarely have bread that is stale on its own and I just can’t be bothered to toast all those bits of bread. It will dry out sufficiently after sitting out, uncovered, for a few hours. If you’re going out, it’s a good idea to cut up the bread in the morning, so it will be ready when you get home and want to make your pudding.

The custard is whipped up very, very quickly. I always set out my eggs with the bread so they’re at room temperature when I go to work with them, but if you store yours in the fridge until the last minute, you can put them in a bowl of slightly warmed water for about 5 minutes to take the chill off. This will allow them to incorporate more easily into the batter. For a sweet custard, I would add some sugar, but here I simply used salt, pepper and a bit of parmesan cheese – which went a surprisingly long way. Rather than cleaning a bunch of artichokes, I used canned ones that were packed in water (not oil) and diced them, saving time and effort.

Overall, the bread pudding was a hudge success. Aside from tasting cheesy with bits of artichoke, it’s difficult to describe the flavor exactly. The flavors of the egg and the whole wheat bread are strongly present, but the whole thing actually blended together very, very well. I’d make it again in a heartbeat for company because, though it looks quite homey, the flavors are very clear and would go well with a whole host of other dishes.

Artichoke and Parmesan Bread Pudding
4-5 cups whole wheat bread, cut into 1-inch chunks
4 eggs
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (finely shredded)
1 cup chopped artichoke hearts

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper and parmesan cheese. Stir in bread chunks and artichoke hearts. Let mixture stand, pressing down occasionally, for at least 15-20 minutes so the bread can soak up the milk mixture.
Pour into an 8-inch square baking dish (ungreased) and bake for 40-45 minutes, until a knife comes out fairly clean (but moist) when inserted into the center.
Can be served hot or at room temperature.
Serves 9, as a side, or 6, as a main course.

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8 Comments
  • Alanna
    May 18, 2006

    The May/June (hmm maybe April/May) issue has a different take on savory bread puddings … I’m still on the hunt for a perfect tomato bread pudding.

  • lucette
    May 18, 2006

    I just made my 1st savory bread pudding last week–it was from a Deborah Madison cookbook, the one for farmer’s markets. Asparagus and mushroom bread pudding–it was heavenly, and even better as leftovers the next day.

  • barbie2be
    May 18, 2006

    this sounds delicious! i make a mean chocolate bread pudding. 🙂

  • Anonymous
    May 18, 2006

    What if you added some sun dried tomatoes??

  • Cathy
    May 18, 2006

    Hi Nic – I’ve never tried a savory bread pudding, but the idea appeals to me. You sound like my mom, who has always had an aversion to bread pudding on general principles (she thinks it’s not good to eat a lot of bread – I don’t have that problem!).

  • Nic
    May 18, 2006

    Alanna – May/June issue of Eating Well? I thought their recipe had too many eggs and not enough milk.

    Lucette – Sounds like a good combination!

    Anonymous – You counld certainly toss in a few drained, chopped sundried tomatoes, if you like.

    Cathy – Well, while I may have an aversion to the dish, it’s not because I don’t like bread! Keep the pudding and just pass me the loaf. =)

  • Alanna
    May 20, 2006

    Oops, sorry, yes, Eating Well. Their base recipe does have a lot of eggs, as I recall 4 eggs + 4 whites, so it might well be more eggy (and thus like a strata) than custardy (like bread pudding). YOURS looks great …

  • Poker Dave
    October 14, 2008

    This looks nice, i’ll need to give it a shot. The cuban bread recipe was great, but this looks more cheesy 🙂

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