| 1 |
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it is fully heated before placing your bread pudding inside to achieve that perfect texture. |
| 2 |
Grease an 8-inch square baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter, spreading it evenly across the base and sides to prevent sticking during the baking process. |
| 3 |
In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, chopped scallions, chopped cilantro, and 4 cups of water. Heat the mixture over high heat, bringing it to a boil while stirring occasionally. |
| 4 |
Allow the syrup to boil until it thickens and reduces by about two-thirds, which should take approximately 20-30 minutes. You’ll want a syrupy consistency that will add a delightful sweetness to your pudding. |
| 5 |
Once reduced, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to discard the solid ingredients, retaining only the luscious syrup. Set the syrup aside for later use in layering your pudding. |
| 6 |
Take a slice of bread and butter one side with 1 tablespoon of butter. Repeat this process for half of the slices, ensuring each is well-coated for added flavor. |
| 7 |
Place the buttered side of half the toast in the bottom of your prepared baking dish in a single layer, creating a solid foundation for your pudding. |
| 8 |
Sprinkle half of the raisins evenly over the layer of toast, followed by half of the shredded colby cheese, ensuring that every bite will be filled with delicious flavor. |
| 9 |
Cut the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter into small pieces and add half of these to the baking dish over the raisins and cheese, enhancing the richness of the dish. |
| 10 |
Carefully pour half of the reserved syrup over the layered ingredients, allowing it to soak into the bread for added sweetness and moisture. |
| 11 |
Repeat the layering process with the remaining toast, raisins, cheese, butter, and syrup, ensuring that each layer is filled with the savory and sweet elements that define this unique bread pudding. |
| 12 |
Once all layers are assembled, place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the pudding is bubbling and the cheese is beautifully browned on top, creating a golden crust that invites you to dig in. |
