Spinach Bread Pudding With Lemon And Feta Food

HEAVENLY LEMON BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Butter the bottom only of a 2-quart casserole or soufflé dish.
• Combine bread cubes and lemon zest in large bowl.
• Set aside.
• Combine whipping cream, milk, sugar, butter and salt in a heavy saucepan.
• Over medium heat, cook until butter melts, stirring occasionally.
• Pour over bread mixture, and toss.
• Allow to cool.
• Lightly beat the egg yolks, then beat in the lemon juice, and stir into the bread mixture.
• Set aside.
• Beat egg whites in large bowl of electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
• Do not overbeat.
• Gently fold egg whites into bread mixture.
• Pour bread mixture into prepared dish, and bake for 1 hour, or until a knife inserted 1 inch from center comes out clean.
• The top of the pudding should be golden brown.
• Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
• Dust with confectioner's sugar, if desired.
• Serve warm, at room temperature or chilled.
• NOTE:*If your bread is less than a day old, you can"age" it by placing slices in a 300°F oven for 15 or 20 minutes, or until some of the moisture is baked out.

SPINACH BREAD PUDDING WITH LEMON AND FETA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly oil a medium baking dish. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, until dry but not browned. Let cool, then transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the spinach and 1/4 cup of the feta. In another bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons of the olive oil with the mustard, lemon zest and lemon juice. Add the eggs and beat until blended. Add the milk and season with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes and stir until they are evenly moistened. Transfer the bread mixture to the baking dish and let stand at room temperature for 2 hours or refrigerate overnight. Sprinkle the remaining feta on the bread pudding and bake in the center of the oven until risen and set, about 40 minutes. Turn on the broiler. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and broil until the bread pudding is golden and crispy on top, about 2 minutes. Scatter the oregano on top, cut into squares and serve.

HEARTY SPINACH AND FETA CHEESE BREAD

Steps:

• Warm 1/4 cup of the reserved spinach liquid to just above 100F (105 to 115, ideally).
• Stir the yeast and sugar into the warm spinach liquid, let stand until foamy, 10 minutes.
• Add remaining 1/2 cup spinach liquid, feta cheese, oil, spinach, and nutmeg and stir thoroughly.
• Mix the flour and salt and stir into the spinach mixture.
• Knead on a floured surface or in a Mixmaster until dough is well marbled, 8 to 10 minutes. Add more flour, if the dough is sticky, but it is okay if it is slightly moist. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours.
• The dough may be even wetter after rising because of the spinach. Pour the dough onto a well-floured work surface and flour the top of the dough if necessary. Shape into a loaf and place on a lightly oiled bread pan. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425°F Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 400F and bake the loaf 30 to 35 minutes.
• Cool completely on a rack.