This is as simple as it gets. Keep in mind it's our American (southern) recipe as to measurements:
2 cups milk
3 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 slices white bread, without crust
1 teaspoon cinnamon
dash nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins, optional
(Some like a few crumbled walnuts in the mix. If so, use just 1/2 cup (a palm full will do.)
Preparation:
Heat milk over low heat until hot, but not boiling. In a bowl, combine eggs, sugar, and salt; stir well. Gradually stir about 1/4 of the hot milk to the egg mixture and stir in. Add remaining milk, stirring constantly. Stir in vanilla.
Place bread slices in a buttered baking dish, (sprinkle raisins over bread, if used), about 2-quart size. Pour the milk mixture over bread. Combine cinnamon and nutmeg; sprinkle over pudding mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 300° for about 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm with vanilla sauce or other dessert sauce, if desired.
We serve this equally simple sauce over it:
1 cup granulated sugar 6 tablespoons butter, melted 1/2 cup buttermilk 1 tablespoon (or more!) Bourbon 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon white corn syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla In a sauce pan mix all ingredients. Bring to a boil for 1 minute. Serve warm. (You can substitute Rum if Kentucky Bourbon isn't available.