Savoury Mozzarella and Basil Pesto Bread and Butter Pudding.

I just love the recipes I can make ahead and cook on the day, which is especially handy when I have family and friends to entertain as well as to feed.The idea came from a Christmas Hollywood movie "The Family Stone", Sarah-Jessica Parker's character made a similar dish for her hosts. It all went terribly wrong in the movie,but who cares about that when we have a lovely recipe to make!

 I shall be making this for the Christmas morning this year and serving it with some smoked salmon and a bit of caviar! This recipe is enough for 4 adults , if you don't like fish, ham and salami go nicely with it too.

400 gr loaf of Brioche bread (crusts cut off)

50 gr butter (unsalted, softened)

250 gr grated cooking mozzarella

100 gr fresh basil pesto

4 eggs

400 ml double cream

fresh dill (a small bunch chopped)

2tbsp grated parmesan cheese

salt, pepper to taste

 Butter the dish, set aside.

Cut the bread into triangles and make butter and pesto sandwiches.

Arrange the pesto sandwiches in the dish and generously sprinkle the mozzarella on top.

 In a mixing bowl beat together the eggs and cream. Stir in salt, pepper , dill and grated parmesan.
Pour the mixture over the bread and allow the dish to stand in the fridge overnight.

In the morning , preheat the oven gas mark 4/180C . Bake for 20 minutes or until the top of the dish turns golden.

Serve hot with the festive accompaniments and plenty of coffee and Bucks Fizz!

 Enjoy!