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1. Preheat oven to 350u00b0F. (180u00b0C).
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2. Mix butter, maple syrup, nutmeg, cardamom and cloves together and brush on one side of the bread. Lay in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly golden on bottom and at edges. Reserve.
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3. To prepare rhubarb, add sugar to water and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until sugar is melted. Boil for 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add rhubarb. Simmer rhubarb for 2 minutes or until limp, and then remove from heat. Use a slotted spoon to remove rhubarb from syrup.
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4. Toss the rhubarb with nutmeg, cinnamon, lemon rind and salt. Set aside.
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5. For custard, whisk together sugar, eggs, cream, maple syrup and cardamom in a mixing bowl.
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6. Grease an 8 x 8-inch (2-L) baking pan.
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7. Trim one layer of toasted bread to fit and lay in pan. Sprinkle half the rhubarb over the bread. Repeat the bread layer and finish with rhubarb.
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8. Pour the custard over the bread and fruit in the pan. Press down lightly on any bread that is not submerged in egg mixture. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
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9. Uncover and bake 15 minutes longer, or until set and puffed. Note that the fruit makes this a very soft bread pudding. Remove from oven and serve immediately. Garnish with a drizzle of maple syrup.