Savory Tomato Basil Bread Pudding: A Delicious Twist

Ingredients

• Cubed ciabatta bread weighing 8 ounces,
• Drizzled with 3 tablespoons of olive oil,
• Thinly sliced large shallot and minced garlic cloves,
• Halved cherry tomatoes, totaling 12 ounces,
• A pinch of kosher salt and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper,
• A cup of freshly chopped basil leaves, packed tightly,
• A generous 1 ½ cups of grated Romano cheese.
• For the custard mixture:
• A cup of whole milk,
• Six room temperature large eggs,
• A teaspoon of kosher salt,
• Half a teaspoon each of freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Step 1

Get started by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) to create the perfect cooking environment. Take a moment to prepare a 9x13-inch glass baking dish by giving it a light coating of grease, then carefully scatter the bread cubes in the dish.

Step 2

Now, in a generously sized skillet set over medium-high heat, warm up some olive oil until it shimmers. Toss in the shallot and garlic, stirring continuously until the aroma fills the air, which should take about a minute. Next, add the tomatoes along with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Let the mixture simmer until the tomatoes start to soften, approximately 2 minutes. Once ready, take the skillet off the heat and infuse the basil for an added burst of flavor. Pour the entire tomato medley over the bed of bread. To elevate the dish, generously sprinkle Romano cheese on top, then gently mix everything until well incorporated.

Step 3

For the custard, crack some eggs into a large bowl, beat them well, and then blend in milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until the mixture is silky smooth. Carefully pour this creamy custard over the bread mixture, making sure to coat everything evenly.

Step 4

Slide the baking dish onto the center rack of your preheated oven and bake until the dish is slightly puffed and turns a beautiful golden hue, which should take around 24 to 30 minutes. Once done, allow the creation to cool for about 5 minutes before slicing it into wedges and serving. Enjoy this delightful dish with your loved ones!