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 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.