"Classic Bread & Butter Pudding"

There seems to be a lot of confusion on the intake of white bread when it comes to healthy eating. One school of thought states that you should only consume whole wheat brown bread to avoid unsaturated fats and the other school of thought states that white and brown bread has the same qualities and demerits. 

Well, you know what, who cares, eat what you think is right and will keep u healthy. My school of thought is  eat everything but in moderation :)

So lets enjoy a classic Bread & Butter pudding recipe that can be made in a jiffy and will taste delicious at any time. Serve it little warm with a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy the comfortness of this delicious recipe.

"Classic Bread & Butter Pudding"

Ingredients :

Raisins and Black currants - 1/2 cup soaked for few hours

1 egg

2 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp custard powder

one glass or 350 ml milk

1 tbsp vanilla essence

1 lemon zest

4 tbsp cream cheese ( optional) or fresh cream

25 gms soft butter

5 slices white bread

2 tbsp jam ( mixed fruit / pineapple/mango/apricot)

icing sugar for sifting

Preparation:

• Beat the egg and sugar together till light and fluffy. Whisk in the custard powder until the mixture is smooth
• Warm the milk a little and then add it to the egg mixture slowly. Keep whisking till the mix becomes smooth and to avoid curdling
• Add vanilla essence, lemon zest and mix well. Let it rest for half an hour
• Add the cream cheese or fresh cream and whisk well
• Strain the custard through a sieve to get a smooth consistency
• Grease a pudding bowl or tray with some butter.
• Spread butter and jam on each bread slice. Cut the slices into 4 triangles. Lay the bread triangles in the dish with the jam side facing upwards.
• Scatter some raisins on top. Pour half the custard mix and leave to soak for 15 minutes
• Preheat the oven at 180*C . Take a baking tray, Place the pudding bowl in it. Pour the remaining custard on top of the bread and press the slices a little.Spread the remaining raisins as well.
• Fill the baking tray with a little water before placing it in the oven.
• Bake at 180*C for 20 minutes and then at 190*C for another 5 minutes till top is crisp and golden.
• Serve it warm with fresh cream and sift some icing sugar on top.

Note : you can use any jam of your choice for the pudding.