Monday's Meal

When I was thinking about what recipe I would like to share this week this one popped into my head. In case you haven't noticed from others I have shared before, I really like bananas. They are absolutely delicious IMHO and you can't beat them as a healthy take along snack. It was a toss up between sharing a recipe for good old fashioned frosted banana bars or this exciting twist on delectable banana pudding. I decided to share the pudding one. This recipe combines two desserts I love well, bananas and a bread pudding, enjoy!

Banana Bread Pudding

4 cups of cubed day old French or sour-dough bread
1/4 cup melted butter
3 eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups of sliced firm bananas (unlike lots of pudding recipes, note that these bananas should be firm)

Sauce
3 tbs butter
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
3/4 cup whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup light corn syrup

Preheat oven to 375. Prepare a 2qt casserole by buttering (or you can use a nonstick cooking spray). Place the bread cubes in the casserole, pour your melted butter over them and toss to coat well. In a medium bowl lightly beat the eggs; add the milk, sugar, spices and salt. Stir in the bananas. Pour this mixture over the bread cubes and bake uncovered for approximately 40 minutes or until fork near middle comes out clean.
For the sauce melt butter in a small saucepan. Combine sugar and cornstarch, add it to the butter. Stir in milk and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring so it doesn't stick until it comes to a full boil. Boil for 1 minute more. Remove from heat and add the vanilla. Add the warm sauce to the warm pudding and serve.