Ham, Cheddar and Red Onion Bread Pudding

That's right, it's a savory bread pudding! You could serve this during a brunch or have it for dinner. I served this to some kids I was babysitting, and they gobbled it up and asked for seconds (they did pick out the onions, but hey, I still count it as a win)! Here's the recipe:

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

Oil for the dish

4 large eggs

1 1/2 C. whole milk

1 T. Dijon mustard

1/8 tsp freshly grated or ground nutmeg

2 tsp. Kosher salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 12 oz. loaf French or Italian bread, cut into 1-in. pieces

1 small red onion, cut into 1/4-in.-thick wedges (go ahead and leave the layers together, imagine you are slicing an apple)

1 crisp, tart apple, cut into 1/4-in.-thick wedges (the original recipe calls for a red apple like gala or braeburn, but we found it to not have much flavor after baking, so try a tart apple like granny smith.)

4 oz. sliced ham, torn into pieces (I bought a packaged ham steak, so the ham was nice a thick)

2 C. shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Oil a 2 1/2- 3 quart baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, mustard, nutmeg, 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper.

3. Add the bread and let sit, tossing occasionally, for about 5 minutes.

Before soaking:

After soaking:

4. Fold the onion, apple, ham, cheese and the rest of the salt and pepper into the bread mixture.

5.Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Cover with foil or lid. Bake 30 minutes then remove foil or lid. Bake another 15-20 minutes until set (a knife inserted in the center comes out clean) and top is browned.

Source: adapted from Women's Day Magazine