My pal Landy forwarded on a chain letter for a recipe exchange. While I usually disapprove of such things, this didn't not threaten me with illhealth, or promise me riches, it simply promised recipes. As we all know, a recipe that has actually been tested by a friend is more valuable than one that has not. So I threw caution to the wind and went for it...

The first has come in, from Kimberly J. Redublado

Caramelized Banana Raisin Bread Pudding
Created by Laura Pensiero
From Great Food in the January 2006 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
Serves 4

Caramelized Banana Raisin Bread Pudding Low-fat milk can be thickened with flour, cornstarch or eggs to make creamy custards for sweet and savory dishes. Heating fruit in a nonstick pan with just a bit of sugar helps to caramelize the fruit's own natural sugars, enhancing its sweetness and adding a toasty note. Try it with apple, pear, peach or mango slices.

INGREDIENTS

* 1/3 cup raisins
* 3 Tbsp. dark rum
* 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
* 2 medium bananas, halved lengthwise, sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
* 4 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
* 1 1/2 cups 1 percent milk
* 2 large eggs
* 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar
* 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
* 4 cups 1/2-inch cubed French bread

In a small bowl, combine raisins and rum and let stand 10 minutes. Drain, reserving rum and raisins separately.

In a medium nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. When frothy, add banana slices and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and add brown sugar and reserved rum. Return skillet to heat and cook until rum evaporates, about 30 seconds. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk milk, eggs, granulated sugar, and cinnamon until blended. Stir in bread cubes. Let mixture stand 15 minutes, gently stirring a few times.

Spray four 8-ounce ramekins with cooking spray. Stir raisins into bread mixture. Spoon half of bread mixture among ramekins. Spoon half of bananas over top. Repeat with remaining bread mixture and bananas. Bake until puffed and golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool; serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional information per serving: 259 calories (35% from fat); 5.5 g fat (2.5 g saturated, 1.5 g monounsaturated, 1.5 g polyunsaturated); 7 g protein; 43 g carbohydrates; 2 g fiber; 79 mg cholesterol; 114 mg calcium