Today Brits enjoy garlic and are known for spectacular food, but that wasn’t always the case, as Orwell (ne George Blair) illustrated in this 1944 quote about the English: “As a rule they will refuse even to sample a foreign dish, they regard such things as garlic and olive oil with disgust, life is unlivable to them unless they have tea and puddings.”
Celebrate the author of Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm with this recipe for Garlic Bread Pudding. Note: The drawing of Orwell is by my friend Dan Baxter who does great illustrations on antique maps. His prints are available on etsy at DanielBaxterArt.
Garlic Bread Pudding
2 c. milk
8 garlic cloves, minced
2 large whole eggs
2 large egg yolks
1/2 t. red chili flakes
2 T. minced parsley
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. black pepper
2 1/2 c. 1/2-inch cubes of Italian bread
In a saucepan, scald the milk with the garlic, let the mixture stand off the heat for 15 minutes.
In a bowl whisk together the whole eggs and the yolks, add the milk in a stream, whisking, and stir in the chili flakes, parsley, salt and pepper.
Divide the bread cubes among 8 well-buttered 1/3-cup muffin tins, ladle the custard mixture over them, dividing it evenly, and let the bread puddings stand for 10 minutes.
The puddings may be prepared up to this point 8 hours in advance and kept covered and chilled. Bake the puddings in a preheated 350°F. oven for 45 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed. Let the puddings cool for 10 minutes (they will sink as they cool).
Run a thin knife around the side of each pudding, and lift the puddings out carefully with a fork. Serve warm.
garlicescapes 
I love how you always look at garlic in the context of world history. Another great post and recipe, Robin! Thanks for posting my portrait of an author who’s as relevant today as he was 70 years ago!
Sounds delicious!
This post really puts Orwell on the map! 😉
You father would be so proud!