Recipe: 00199 Title : Al Forno's Chocolate Bread Pudding Author: Alice Ferris Date : June 1995 _________________________________________________________________________ (Leftovers, by Kathy Gunst, HarperPerennial, 1991, page 45) Serves 8 8 to 10 1/4-inch slices (or 3-4 cups 1 inch cubed) chocolate bread (can also use any sweet bread--banana, coffee, sponge, angel food, etc.) 3 cups heavy cream 4 eggs 1/2 cup sugar Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter a shallow six cup casserole or a large long shallow pan. Line pan with one layer of bread slices. Heat the heavy cream over moderately low heat until hot but not simmering. Beat the eggs with the sugar until well combined. Slowly add scalded cream and beat until mixture thickens. Pour custard mixture over bread slices. Set casserole in a pan of hot water and bake for 45 minutes. Edges should be set and the center should be a bit runny. (The custard will continue to cook after it's removed from the oven.) Remove casserole from water bath and cool on rack. Serve at room temperature or chilled. -=-=-=-=-=-=- _________________________________________________________________________