Ingredients

1 cup (1 6-oz. package) semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 egg yolks
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 slices dry bread
1/2 cup broken nuts
3 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar

Directions

Melt the chocolate pieces in 1 cup milk over medium heat. Stir in remaining milk and reserve. Combine the salt, egg yolks, 3/4 cup granulated sugar and vanilla, and stir in reserved chocolate mixture.

Trim crusts from bread and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Place cubes in 1 1/2-quart casserole. Pour the chocolate mixture over the bread cubes, making sure that all the cubes are saturated, and then blend in the nuts.

Set the casserole in a pan of hot water. Then bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees) for 1 hour.

Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and beat until stiff. Spread meringue on casserole and brown delicately in the oven. Serve warm or cold. Serves 14.