There is nothing as comforting as a bowl brimming with warm bread pudding. Add mangoes and spices inspired by the world's love affair with Indian chai (tea), and you will make every excuse in the book to indulge in this soothing, after-dinner treat.

Makes 8 servings, 1/2 cup each

ACTIVE TIME: 20 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 35 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

4 cups stale (but not dry) white bread slices, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 large ripe mangoes, peeled (see Tip) and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (3 cups)
2 cups fat-free milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons light or dark rum (optional)
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black peppercorns
1/8 teaspoon salt

1. Position rack in the center of the oven; preheat to 350ºF. Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Toss bread cubes and mangoes together in the baking dish.
3. Whisk milk, eggs, rum (if using), brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger, pepper and salt in a medium bowl. Pour over the bread and mangoes; allow the mixture to soak for about 5 minutes.
4. Bake the pudding until it is set and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 1/4 hours. Serve warm for best flavor.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 164 calories; 2 g fat (0 g sat, 1 g mono); 54 mg cholesterol; 33 g carbohydrate; 5 g protein; 2 g fiber; 175 mg sodium; 228 mg potassium.

2 Carbohydrate Servings

TIP: Tip: How to cut a mango:
1. Slice both ends off the mango, revealing the long, slender seed inside. Set the fruit upright on a work surface and remove the skin with a sharp knife.
2. With the seed perpendicular to you, slice
the fruit from both sides of the seed, yielding two large pieces.
3. Turn the seed parallel to you and slice the two smaller pieces of fruit from each side.
4. Cut the fruit into the desired shape.

Where's the tip on the mangoes? (I haven't made it yet, so my rating means nothing. I had to select one in order to submit this question.)

, New York, NY

Although not a fan of typical bread pudding, I was enticed by the exotic combination of ingredients. Everyone who has tried it has loved it. Great warm winter dessert - we serve it with a little low fat vanilla ice cream.

Jeanne, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

I didn't really like it. The flavor was ok, but the bread was really soggy. It wasn't quite stale, so maybe that is my fault.

Pammyk, Grand Rapids, MI