6 cups or so day-old sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (I like to leave the crust on) Today I used French bread and Rosemary Olive Oil bread- pure deliciousness!
2 tablespoons butter
6 to 8 slices of premium bacon, chopped-it’s always easiest to slice bacon when it’s still a little frozen
2 tsp. dried thyme
2 tsp. dried crushed rosemary
2 shallots, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
A bunch of scallions, chopped (you can also use a couple of leeks, washed well and chopped)
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper (I like to use the Louisiana spice Slap Ya Mama when I have it)
Any leftover veggies you may have-today I had carrots and pearl onions, so in they went! : – )
2 cups heavy cream
5 large eggs
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus a little extra for on top later (about 1/4 of a cup)
In a skillet, render the bacon with the butter until crispy. Remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside. Remove most of the bacon grease leaving about two tablespoons or so. Saute shallot, garlic and scallions until they have a nice color on them. Add thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper (Or Slap ya mam in place of the S & P)
Place bread cubes in a large bowl. Add crispy bacon pieces and cooked vegetables.
In a mixing bowl whisk together your cream, eggs, balsamic vinegar and freshly grated cheese.
Place bread mixture in a buttered baking dish and pour the cream mixture over top stirring well. Bake covered in a 350F oven for about one hour or until crispy on top. Add a little more freshly grated Parmesan cheese and bake an additional five minutes uncovered.
Enjoy!

Hello, I’m Elise Johnson and I’m so glad you found your way here! From my own experience, cooking and eating together as a family nurtures and strengthens family relationships quicker and stronger than any other way. Join me as I continue my grandmother’s legacy of
inter-generational cooking by inspiring families and friends to make memories in the kitchen. 