A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Yield: 6 to 8 servings. 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened 1 (1-pound) loaf French bread, torn into pieces 1  cup coarsely broken graham crackers 2  tablespoons unsalted butter, melted ½

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Yield: 6 to 8 servings. 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened 1 (1-pound) loaf French bread, torn into pieces 1  cup coarsely broken graham crackers 2  tablespoons unsalted butter, melted ½

S’mores Bread Pudding

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
1 (1-pound) loaf French bread, torn into pieces
1  cup coarsely broken graham crackers

2  tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
½ teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 marshmallows
1 cup high-quality dark chocolate chips, divided (we used Ghirardelli)

Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare a 9 x 12-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon softened butter.

Place French bread on a sheet pan and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Place toasted bread in baking dish.

Place broken graham crackers on sheet pan and drizzle with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Bake graham crackers for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and sprinkle with salt. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and vanilla. Place the marshmallows and the chocolate chips over the bread so that they are evenly distributed. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and lightly press down to make sure all of the bread is coated. Let bread sit for 5 minutes.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the egg mixture is cooked and set. The center should be slightly springy but not firm. Remove from oven and place toasted graham crackers on top, lightly pressing edges into the top. Serve warm.

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This story was published on Jun 17, 2019

Lynn Wells

Lynn Wells gained a fond respect and interest in cooking from her mother and Aunt Addie at the age of 8 in North Carolina. During college, Wells worked in a wide range of restaurants, from fine dining to family- owned. After graduating from UNC Greensboro with a degree in nutrition management and hospitality, Wells began a 21-year career in the nutrition department at Cone Health. In 2014, Wells started Thyme Well Spent Personal Chef Service, an in-home cooking experience for private clients, which continues today. Wells is also a food writer, food stylist, culinary consultant, and the recipe developer/writer for Our State.