Recipe: Bread pudding with dandelion greens and bacon

Total time: 1 1/2 hours

Servings: 6 to 8

Note: Dandelion greens are available at well-stocked supermarkets and farmers markets. Use any high-quality wheat and country white bread, such as pain rustique. For the wheat and white breads, you will need the equivalent of about a 1-pound loaf.

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Butter for buttering the pan

3 1/2 cups whole milk

1 large clove garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

6 ounces bacon, sliced crosswise into 1/2 -inch pieces

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 bunches dandelion greens, washed and dried, cut into 1/2 -inch pieces (about 9 cups)

2 shallots, minced

6 eggs

8 ounces fresh goat cheese

8 cups stale bread, half whole wheat, half country white, crust on, cut or torn into about 1/2 -inch pieces

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees and butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, garlic and black pepper. Heat over high heat until just before the milk reaches a simmer. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

2. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp. When the bacon is cooked, keep the pan on the heat and add the olive oil, dandelion greens and shallot. Stir until the greens are wilted, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the cooled milk and the goat cheese and whisk until combined. Stir in the bread, dandelion green mixture and lemon zest and mix until combined. Pour the mixture into the baking dish, pressing down to make sure the bread is submerged. Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes so that the bread absorbs the liquid.

4. Bake for 35 minutes, until golden brown, rotating once for even cooking. Serve immediately.

Each of 8 servings: 431 calories; 23 grams protein; 41 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams fiber; 20 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 190 mg. cholesterol; 734 mg. sodium.