Budin (Filipino Bread Pudding)

Ingredients :

· 4 cups milk
· 2 cups day old bread, diced (about 6 bread slices)

· 2 eggs, slightly beaten
· 1/3 cup sugar
· 1/2 tsp. salt
· 2 tsp. vanilla extract
· 4 tbsp. melted butter (or margarine)
· 1 cup macapuno (or 1 cup drained langka jackfruit preserves)

(Cooking Conversion Chart)

Cooking Procedures :

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 1-1/2 quart casserole. In a saucepan, heat milk over low heat until tiny bubbles appear around the edges. Remove from heat, add diced bread.

2. For custard-like pudding, let bread soak for about 30 minutes, mash pieces against the side of bowl with a spoon until mixture is smooth.

3. Blend in eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla and butter. Add macapuno or langka.

4. Pour into greased casserole or caramel-lined pan, place in a larger baking pan with warm water about 1" up the side of the casserole.

5. Steam-bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until tester knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

6. Serves 6 to 8.