Ticinese Bread Cake

Ingredients

• 8 cups (200g) stale bread, cubed 8 cups (200g) stale bread, cubed
• 2 cups (470ml) milk 2 cups (470ml) milk
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (100g) grated Swiss cheese 1 cup (100g) grated Swiss cheese
• 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 zucchini, grated 1 zucchini, grated
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 6g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a round baking dish.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the stale bread cubes and milk. Allow the bread to soak for about 10 minutes until it becomes soft.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and then add them to the bread mixture. Stir well to combine.
4. 4.
   Add the grated Swiss cheese, Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, grated zucchini, diced bell peppers, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper to the bread mixture. Mix until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
5. 5.
   Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.
6. 6.
   Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
7. 7.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Stale bread — It's important to use stale bread as it absorbs the liquid better and provides a better texture. If you don't have stale bread, you can lightly toast fresh bread cubes in the oven before using them.
• Swiss cheese — Opt for a high-quality Swiss cheese such as Gruyère or Emmental for an authentic flavor. If unavailable, you can substitute with a similar type of cheese like Jarlsberg or Comté.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, you can sauté the onions and bell peppers before adding them to the bread mixture.
• Serve the Ticinese Bread Cake warm or at room temperature for the best taste and texture.
• This dish is perfect for using up leftover bread, but you can also use fresh bread if needed.
• Feel free to customize the vegetable mix according to your preference or seasonal availability.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for a delicious next-day meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Ticinese Bread Cake as a main course accompanied by a fresh green salad. It can also be enjoyed as a savory brunch dish or as part of a buffet spread.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the top of the Ticinese Bread Cake with a sprinkle of fresh parsley leaves. Cut it into wedges and serve on a decorative platter to showcase its rustic charm.