RATATOUILLE BREAD PUDDING
This recipe can be made one day ahead, then baked. Best with Coeur d'Alene Cellars No. 6 Red.
4 teaspoons olive oil
4 cups chopped onion
4 cups cubed peeled eggplant
2 2/3 cups chopped zucchini
2 cups chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cloves
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 (28-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups or more grated parmesan or romano, divided
8 large eggs
16 ounces cubed day-old Italian bread
cooking spray
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook 15 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionaly. Add eggplant and next 6 ingredients; cover and cook 15 minutes or until tender. Increase heat and add tomatoes; cook, uncovered 15 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly.
Combine milk, 1/2 cup cheese, and eggs in a large bowl. stirring with a whisk. Stir in eggplant mixture. Add bread and stir. Let stand 10 minutes. spoon mixture into t 4-quart baking dish or 2 (2-quart) dishes coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle pudding with the remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour or until pudding is set and llightly browned. Yield: 12 servings.