SAVORY BREAD PUDDING WITH TOMATOES AND HERBS

Savory Bread Pudding with Tomatoes and Herbs image

Stale baguettes and country breads give me a welcome excuse to make savory Italian bread puddings, called stratas. You can add different vegetables in season, such as sautéed mushrooms or greens to the mix.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Time 1h15m

Yield Serves 4 to 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1/2 pound stale bread, sliced about 1/2 inch thick (see note below)
1 large garlic clove, cut in half, green shoots removed
2 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated (1/2 cup)
1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (1/4 cup)
1 pound firm, ripe tomatoes, sliced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
4 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups low-fat milk

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Oil or butter a 2-quart baking dish or gratin. If the bread is soft, toast it lightly and rub all the slices, front and back, with the cut clove of garlic. If it's stale, just rub with garlic Mince what garlic remains. Combine the two cheeses in a small bowl.
Layer half of the bread slices in the baking dish. Top with half the tomato slices. Sprinkle the tomato slices with salt, pepper, and half the thyme, rosemary, and remaining garlic. Top with half the cheese. Repeat the layers.
Beat together the eggs and milk. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few twists of the pepper mill, and pour over the bread and tomato layers. Place in the oven and bake 40 to 50 minutes, until puffed and browned. Remove from the oven and serve hot or warm.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 264, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 27 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 16 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 572 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams, TransFat 0 grams