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1
Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven; preheat oven to 350u00b0.
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2
Butter an 8-inch square glass baking dish.
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3
Place the bread on a large baking sheet; drizzle with the butter.
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4
Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar, and toss to coat.
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5
Spread the bread in a single layer and bake, stirring halfway through, for 15 minutes or until a deep golden brown.
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6
Let cool on the baking sheet.
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7
Meanwhile, bring the half-and-half just to a boil in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat.
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8
Remove the pan from the heat; stir in the zest and ginger; let stand, covered, for 20 minutes.
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9
Pour the half-and-half through a fine strainer set over a large glass measure or bowl, and wipe out the saucepan.
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10
Whisk together the eggs, the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and the salt in a medium bowl.
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11
Slowly pour in the warm half-and-half, whisking constantly.
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12
Return mixture to the saucepan and cook, whisking constantly, over med-low heat for 5-7 minutes, until the custard has thickened and coats the back of a spoon; if you draw your finger across it, it should leave a track.
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13
Do not let the custard boil or scorch on the bottom; if tiny bubbles appear around the edges, remove the pan from the heat for a few minutes to cool the custard, continuing to whisk.
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14
Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla.
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15
Pour the mixture through a fine strainer set over a large glass measure or bowl.
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16
Transfer the bread to the baking dish and toss with the apricots.
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17
Pour the custard over the bread.
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18
Push down the bread with a spoon to submerge it.
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19
Let stand for 30 minutes, or until the bread is softened.
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20
Preheat the oven to 300u00b0; have ready a roasting pan.
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21
Put on a kettle of water to boil for the water bath.
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22
Cover the baking dish with foil and seal the edges tightly.
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23
Place the baking dish in the roasting pan and place in the oven.
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24
Pour in enough boiling water the pan the come halfway up the sides of the baking dish.
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25
Bake for 1 hour.
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26
Carefully remove the foil and bake the bread pudding for 15 minutes longer, or until the top is golden brown but the center is still slightly jiggly.
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27
Carefully remove the baking dish from the pan and let cool slightly on a wire rack.
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28
Serve the pudding warm in bowls.