pumpkin pie bread pudding

1 package hamburger buns (8 buns) (or 12 cups day-old bread cubes)
6 egg yolks
2 (15 oz) cans pureed pumpkin
5 cups milk (2.5 cans full)
large pinch salt
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tbsp orange extract
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

slice buns into cubes and bake in a low oven until dry, or use stale. put into a large pyrex dish.
in a mixing bowl, combine ingredients (excluding buns). beat until well combined. pour over dried bread and gently toss until all buns are well coated, making sure custard mix is evenly distributed.
bake in a preheated 350' oven for 1 hour or until top is browned.
serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.

dried cherry chicken salad

1 cup dried tart cherries
4 chicken breast halves, cooked, torn into large pieces
3 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
2 granny smith apples, coarsely chopped
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 tbsp raspberry vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

mix cherries, chicken, celery, apples, and pecans in a large bowl. combine the mayonnaise, parsley, and raspberry vinegar in a bowl; mix well. add to chicken mixture and toss lightly to coat well. season with salt and pepper. chill 2 hours of longer.

taken from the 'best of the best of america cookbook'.

Swedish Rice Pudding

6 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar (not packed)
pinch salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
4 1/2 cups mixture of whole milk and half and half, scalded
2 tbsp butter, melted in hot milk
2 tbsp vanilla (less, if desired)
2 cups rice, cooked the day before
raisins (optional)

beat eggs; add sugars, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. mix well. slowly add heated milk and melted butter. mix. add vanilla and rice; mix. add raisins, if desired. put into a large buttered casserole. sprinkle a little brown sugar and cinnamon over top. place casserole into a pie pan with hot water. bake 1-1 1/2 hours at 325' or until knife inserted comes out clean. let cool.

taken from 'best of the best from america' cookbook. when i try this i will probably decrease the sugar and use brown rice, and maybe some dried sour cherries!