Crumb Pudding (Anne McVay)

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry grated bread crumbs
• 1 pint milk
• 2 eggs, yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• lemon, vanilla, or brandy
• 2 eggs, whites
• 1/2 cup sugar

Instructions

1. Soak the cup of dry grated bread crumbs in half a pint of milk until soft. Add the well-beaten egg yolks, half a cup sugar, tablespoon of butter, and the remaining half-pint of milk. Flavor the mixture with lemon, vanilla, or brandy, as preferred.
2. Bake until firm in a quick oven, taking care not to let it scorch. While the pudding bakes, prepare a meringue from the egg whites and half a cup sugar. Once the pudding is set, cover it with the meringue and barely color it in the oven.
3. Let cool, then serve with whipped or sweetened cream, or a fruit sauce. The pudding is also good without any sauce.