INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 loaf day old bread (about 250g)
  • 1/4 cup walnut pieces
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup dried apricots, diced small
  • 1/4 cup pistachios
  • 1/4 cup sultanas
  • 1 pint milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 eggs , beaten
  • 1 teaspoon butter , to grease dish
  • 2 tablespoons sugar , to sprinkle over

DIRECTIONS

  1. Cube the bread - about 1cm or 1/2 inch - no need to remove crust.
  2. In large bowl stir bread together with nuts and fruit then tip into greased ovenproof dish (mine was about 7"x11"x2").
  3. Heat the milk, stir in sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and eggs.
  4. Pour milk mixture over bread mixture and press down the bread so all gets moist.
  5. Sprinkle sugar over the top.
  6. Cook in moderate/hot oven for 20-30 minutes (until knife blade comes out clean).
  7. Flash under hot grill to caramelise the sugar if you wish.
  8. Serve warm with pouring cream.