Berry-Rhubarb Summer Pudding.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 cups fresh rhubarb sliced into
1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups quartered strawberries
2 cups blackberries or raspberries
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Dash salt
1/2 of a 1-pound loaf of brioche or challah
Fresh berries
Procedure:
1. For creme fraiche: In a bowl, whisk together sour cream and whipping cream until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature until thickened (24 to 36 hours). Refrigerate the creme fraiche.

2. For pudding: In a large saucepan, combine rhubarb and sugar. Bring to boiling over medium heat, stirring frequently until rhubarb begins to release juices; reduce heat. Cover and simmer the mixture for about 3 minutes or till rhubarb softens.

3. Stir in strawberries; cook, covered, for about 2 minutes more till berries are softened. Stir in blackberries; cook about 5 minutes more or till the berries fall apart. Remove pan from heat. Transfer fruit mixture to a non-metal bowl; cool. Stir in lemon juice and salt.

4. Remove the crust from the brioche; reserve the crust for another use. Cut the bread into 1/2-inch cubes.

5. Assemble pudding: In six to eight 6-ounce custard cups, spoon fruit mixture to make a 1/2-inch deep layer. Sprinkle enough brioche cubes over fruit to form a solid layer; gently press into fruit mixture to make a more solid layer. Spoon in enough fruit to completely cover the bread cubes; sprinkle with and press in bread cubes. Repeat the layers to fill the cups slightly above the rims, ending with fruit mixture. Place cups on a baking sheet. Cover with waxed paper. Refrigerate the pudding overnight.

6. Serve dessert with some creme fraiche. Garnish with fresh berries.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.