Goan Bread Pudding Flan (Pudin de Pao)

This Caramel pudding is quite popular for special occasions in Goa like Birthdays, weddings, Anniversaries and Villages Festas. Its one of my favorite Goan desserts, this puddings was introduced to Goa by the Portuguese and ever since has become a Goan staple of Party dining tables just like it is in Portugal. Its called Pudin de Leite (Milk Pudding) in Portugues or Pudin de Pao when bread is added to give it texture.

The Pudding itself is very simple to make but you just will fall in love with it once you have it. I always liked the one where you could get air pockets in the pudding just like cheese. I was fascinated by it as a child and have enjoyed this dessert ever since I can remember. The 3 main ingredients to this dish are eggs, sugar and Milk (Condensed milk to make more creamier) and other ingredients added as per ones taste like vanilla flavour or adding bread for added texture. If no bread is added than its has a smooth finish.

Ingredients:

3 beaten eggs
8 tbsp of sugar
 2 cups of milk
 3 slices of White bread (Without Crust)
 1/2 tsp of vanilla (extract)
 2 tbsp of water for caramel
 salt (Pinch)

Putting it Together:

• In a container add 2 tbsp of sugar and 2 tbsp of water and caramelize the sugar on a low heat.
• As the sugar browns transfer the caramelized sugar to a pudding bowl and spread it across the inside surface of the bowl.
• Let it stand for a while till it hardens on the bowl
• Now add the remaining sugar to the milk in a separate container, mix well well and boil.
• Take the milk off the heat, let it cool for a while and then add salt, vanilla and stir continuously.
• Now soak the bread in the mixture.
• Mix and mash the bread into the mixture than add the beaten eggs to the mixture and combine well.
• Pour the mixture in the bowl with the caramelized sugar coating and cover the bowl with aluminium foil.
• Set the oven heat dial to 180 C and steam the pudding by placing the pudding bowl in a another container with water and placing this container in the oven.

Note the level of water should not be more than the height of the pudding bowl

• After 40-50 minutes, take out the pudding bowl from the oven and let it cool completely.
• To serve, turn the bowl upside down on a serving plate. Cut into serving sizes and Enjoy!!!

Note: You can make the pudding bowl itself the size of each serving if you wish or bake it as a large single piece to be cut and served.

See here another one cooked earlier