Bread Pudding

2 cups good stale bread cut into approx. 1/2" cubes (I used a walnut wheat levain)

4/3 cups half and half

1/2 cup w. sugar

3 Tb butter (melted)

1 egg and two egg yolks

1/2 cup dried fruit of choice, diced (I used turkish apricots)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

hefty pinch salt

Cut the bread up a couple days ahead of time. If it is not quite stale yet, it will be easier (and safer) to cut. Then, leave the bread chunks out in a colander so they will dry out substantially.

Break the eggs into a bowl and beat with hefty pinch salt. Add all other ingredients except half and half and butter. Melt butter in microwave and heat half and half to slightly warm. Mix HnH into egg mixture then add butter. Mix well. Put dried bread chunks into this and toss well. Allow an hour or two for the bread to absorb as much fluid as possible.

Pour batter into 8"x6" tin baking dish. Arrange bread and apricots evenly and top off with any remaining liquid. Place baking dish in water bath and bake for approx. 50 mins at 350ºF.