How breadcrumbs can make a meal

It's amazing the things you can make a meal out of really.

During the 40s with cheese in such short supply housewives were advised never to serve cheese with bread or biscuits. Something like that wouldn't be much more than a snack, or perhaps a teatime meal that could easily be replaced with something else. Instead the cheese ration was viewed more along the lines of a different type of meat, something to be made into a tasty main meal. Today we had cheese pudding, which obviously had quite a lot of cheese in it, the majority of our weekly ration in fact, but the rest of the pudding was quite interesting.

Basically it was made from stale bread. It was meant to be breadcrumbs but I just tore the bread into small pieces, let those out to dry for a while and used them as they were. You pour hot milk over the bread with some seasoning and leave it to sit for half an hour, by which time it will have gone rather porridgey. Because my bread was in lumps rather than crumbs I gave it a stir with a wooden spoon and it soon went smooth. Then you mix in the grated cheese, a beaten egg (or reconstituted dried egg) and a little margarine, put the whole soggy mess in a greased pudding basin or pie dish and bake it in the oven. I stirred some chives in as well since the garden is full of them and put some chopped tomato on top.

I honestly had no idea how this one would turn out, would it just be a stodgy, soggy mess with all the "wheatmeal" bread and milk? Would it be a sort of bread sauce with no texture? Or taste a bit like a cheese toasty? I handed RAF man his plate a bit apologetically and hoped it would prove edible!

It turned out to be really nice! I'll admit it isn't my new favourite food or anything but I would be more than happy to make it again. It was quick, easy, tasty (the crispy bits round the edges were especially good!) and a great dish to have up your sleeve when it seems like there is nothing in the house. I definitely suggest that you give it a go!

PS
If anybody is wondering where RAF man got his name, or where you can see him in action, do go and check out The Tail End Charlies.