As I mentioned a few weeks ago, tomatoes have been the stars of the September CSA shares. In addition to the wonderful salsa I made with them, I was inspired by this fabulous-looking bread pudding recipe over at Pioneer Woman Cooks. I decided to take some liberties with the concept and to try to reproduce the flavors in a favorite pasta dish-- the very first recipe I ever made for Jack, in fact. I wondered if the marvelous mix of ripe tomatoes, basil, garlic and brie (marinated in good olive oil for the pasta dish) would translate well to a bread pudding bound together with eggs, yogurt and milk.
Result? A comforting dish, but not a very true translation of the flavors of the pasta recipe. Because the tomatoes, basil and garlic were baked (rather than gently warmed by hot pasta), the intensity of the flavors was muted. It was great comfort food and very tasty in it's own right, though, and I can live with that.
Why is there no photo of the finished product? Sadly, I just didn't get one good enough to show you.
Heirloom Tomato, Basil and Brie Bread Pudding
serves 6
8 slices stale French bread, cut into quarters
2 - 3 heirloom tomatoes, halved and thickly sliced
1 cup of fresh basil leaves, cut into strips
1/2 pound of brie, rind removed, torn into small pieces
3 garlic cloves, minced
8 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup yogurt, plain
Salt & Pepper
Combine the tomatoes, basil and garlic in a bowl and let it sit at room temperature for at least an hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 F and lightly oil a baking dish.
Toss the bread with the tomato, basil and garlic mixture and pour it into the baking dish. Scatter the pieces of brie over the top, and then gently fold it all together.
Whisk the eggs, yogurt, milk and salt and pepper together and pour it over the bread. Bake for 40 - 50 minutes until set.
It's pretty! You're so lucky to be getting so many wonderful tomatoes to play with.
Posted by: RecipeGirl | October 01, 2008 at 10:25 AM
This is the first time I see a recipe for savory bread pudding and it looks delicious. That combination sounds great.
Posted by: Ben | October 01, 2008 at 11:02 AM
A savory bread pudding! This is a totally new thing for me, but it sounds really delicious (I mean, tomatoes and cheese is always a win, isn't it?).
Posted by: Manggy | October 01, 2008 at 11:05 AM
AHHHhhh - so many good things all together -- this is a must try.
Posted by: Marla/Inf | October 01, 2008 at 12:26 PM
No photos! makes me think nobody could wait and it was plenty good. Love a savory bread pudding.
Posted by: MyKitchenInHalfCups | October 01, 2008 at 12:34 PM
I've been seeing quite a few savory bread puddings lately, and it makes me want to try! This one sounds wonderful!
Posted by: Deborah | October 01, 2008 at 02:32 PM
I've been eating all the tomatoes I can before they disappear for the winter -- and this would be a great main dish for dinner when my vegetarian (but cheese loving) kids come to visit in a few weeks, if the tomatoes hold out that long!
Posted by: Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) | October 01, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Oooh. It sounds like pappa al pomodoro, only with eggs and cheese. (And much prettier. Pappa al pomodoro, tasty as it is, does not photograph well.)
Posted by: adele | October 01, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Wow, this looks amazing! I love that pasta dish, and I'm sure I'd love this one too...
Posted by: Sophie | October 02, 2008 at 06:45 AM
sometimes my pictures are so terrible i scrap an entire blog entry. sometimes i post 'em anyway. :)
moving on--this sounds like a terrific dish, very comforting and contented-sigh-inducing. :)
Posted by: grace | October 02, 2008 at 09:20 AM
You have got to be kidding me - this is making me drool! Combining these ingredients is pure genius.
Posted by: Patricia Scarpin | October 02, 2008 at 11:30 AM
That sounds divine. A grand mixture of some of my favourite things!
Posted by: Kiriel | October 02, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Wait... what? There *is* a photo of the finished product!
Posted by: Jack | October 03, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Oh I love this! And now I have to try it with some good fresh buffalo mozzarella! Thank you Ann!
Posted by: ilva | October 04, 2008 at 03:08 AM
I am jealous about the tomatoes! They are so expensive here! I just go without a lot of the time, since buying tomatoes from the grocery store is a waste of money. :-(
I am very sorry to hear about Jack. It must be very hard. I am glad to see that you're still cooking, though.
Posted by: KarynMC | October 04, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Mmm...I love the idea of adding brie and yogurt to a bread pudding. I've been making them lately (sort of a new type of dish for me!) and this sounds just divine!
Posted by: michelle | October 04, 2008 at 07:46 PM
I never thought of making a savory bread pudding. You're opening a world full of possibilities to me. Cool! :-)
I hope you're doing well and that you'll be back to full-time blogging soon. We miss you out there. Take care.
Posted by: zenchef | October 05, 2008 at 01:48 PM
I just loaded up on tomatoes and this is so right up my alley.
Posted by: giz | October 05, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Looks very tasty and healthy...thanks for another winner.
Posted by: Josh Neumann | October 10, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Looks very comforting. How can you go wrong with good tomatoes and brie?
Posted by: Lori Lynn @ Taste With The Eyes | October 11, 2008 at 03:02 PM
What a lovely creation that is so creative. It looks really good! :)
Posted by: Ivy | October 13, 2008 at 05:46 PM
I almost always make sweet bread puddings. But here you remind me how fabulous savory bread puddings can be.
Posted by: Susan from Food Blogga | October 13, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Finished or not, I think I'd devour that without a moment's thought. It looks wonderful!
Posted by: Tom Aarons | October 14, 2008 at 04:54 AM
I just bought a bunch of tomatoes and brought them back from NJ with me--I'm gonna make this with them!
Posted by: Cakespy | October 14, 2008 at 11:46 PM
How wonderful Anne...what a creative savoury pie. Got my fave flavours in there...yum yum!
Posted by: Deeba | October 18, 2008 at 09:49 AM