Directions: |
Directions:PUDDING: Preheat oven to 375º. Cut the bread into 1" squares, spread on a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven until light brown, about 8 minutes. Pack the toasted bread into a 2½ quart baking dish or into 8 1-cup ramekins and drizzle with the melted butter.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Add the raisins, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour the custard over the bread and leave to soak about 10 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350º. Bake the pudding in the preheated oven until slightly puffed and firm, about 45 minutes. Cool slightly and serve warm with vanilla sauce.
SAUCE: In a small saucepan, combine the cream and sugar and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, flour, vanilla and salt until smooth and pale yellow.
Pour a little of the hot cream into the yolk mixture, whisking rapidly until smooth, then pour all of the yolk mixture back into the pan of cream. Cook over very low heat (do not boil), stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the cream has thickened slightly. (To test, run your finger across the back of the cream-coated spoon; if it leaves a clear trace, the sauce is ready.) Remove from the heat, stir in the scoop of ice cream until melted and strain the sauce through a fine sieve. Serve warm or at room temperature. |