TOMATO BREAD PUDDING

By LIZABETH

Ingredients

• 5 * 5 cups (1-inch) cubes ITALIAN BREAD
• 1 * 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 CANS DICED TOMATOES WITH GARLIC/OIL
• 2/3 * 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 * 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 3/4 * 3/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Step 1

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.

Toss bread cubes with butter in a 13- by 9-inch baking dish until coated.

Purée tomatoes with juice in a blender 5 seconds, then transfer to a small saucepan along with water, brown sugar, tomato paste, salt, and hot sauce. Bring mixture just to a simmer, then pour over bread, stirring to combine. Bake, uncovered, until edges are beginning to caramelize, 35 to 40 minutes.