Savory Bread Pudding

There is something intensely satisfying about a savory bread pudding.  While it bears some similarity to a breakfast casserole, this dish makes a sophisticated dinner when paired with a mixed greens salad and full-bodied glass of wine.  The bread takes the spotlight here, so selecting something with strong flavors and a nice sturdy construction is important.  I generally opt for the multi-grain seeded bread full of delicious things like pumpkin and sunflower seeds that I found at Whole Foods, mmm.  Today a trip to Whole Foods was not on the agenda however, so I decided to branch out and try something new.  I bought two demi loaves- one with an assortment of seeds like sesame and poppyseed, and one with asiago cheese.  I decided to try a mix of the two.  My taste buds were not disappointed!  Aside from the amazing bread that takes center stage, the remaining ingredients are fairly humble.  Your favorite ham, diced into bite-sized pieces, cheddar cheese, milk, sliced green onions, a bit of chicken broth, a dash of black pepper and eggs.  One of the secrets is toasting the bread cubes prior to mixing with the wet ingredients as it helps them maintain their shape.  When the final dish comes out of the oven the top should be golden and crisp. Such a simple weeknight meal, yet it feels very special.