Savory Bread Pudding With Bacon Peppers And Spinach Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 3-quart casserole dish with butter.
• Whisk the eggs, heavy cream, cognac and some salt and pepper in a large bowl. Place the bread slices into the egg-cream mixture and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Cut the mushrooms into large dice and add to food processor along with the shallots and process until finely, finely chopped. Put a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add 4 tablespoons of the butter. Once the pan is heated, add the mushroom/shallot mixture and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
• Turn the heat under a medium cast-iron pan to medium-high and add the oil. Once heated, add the sliced spring onion and sear until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes total.
• To assemble, first put a third of the bread in the prepared casserole dish, then half of the mushroom duxelles, half of the seared onion and another third of the bread. Press down and top with the remaining mushroom duxelles and onions. Top with the remaining bread and dot with the remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Put into the oven and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 and spray an 8X8 pan.
• Whisk egg with milk, salt and pepper.
• Toss with the bread and set aside.
• Thaw and squeeze water out of spinach.
• In skillet, heat oil- and add onion and red pepper.
• Saute for about 5 minutes, then add mushrooms and garlic.
• Lower heat so garlic doesn't burn.
• Continue to saute for about 5 minutes.
• Add spinach and mix well and let cook about 5 minutes to remove any reamining moisture.
• Add the vegetables and 1/2 cup cheese to the egg/bread and toss well.
• Pour into prepared pan and top with 1/2 cup cheese.
• Bake at 350 for 50 minutes- then check to see if the center is set. Continue in 10 minute increments until set.
• (see above on optional water bath).

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread, Swiss cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese.
• In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add mushrooms, and saute until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to the mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter to the skillet, and add the spinach and Swiss chard leaves. Saute until wilted, about 2 minutes, and transfer to the mixing bowl.
• Bring a small pan of water to a boil, and add the leeks and Swiss chard stems. Blanch for 1 minute, remove from heat and drain well. Add to bread mixture.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rub the inside of an 8-inch-square baking pan with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. In a medium bowl, beat egg just until blended.
• In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine milk and heavy cream. Bring to a boil, and remove from heat. While whisking vigorously, add about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture to the egg, then return the egg mixture to the pan and whisk until blended. Add milk mixture to the bowl of dry ingredients, and stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer mixture to the baking pan, pressing gently on surface. Bake pudding until set, about 15 minutes.
• Remove pan from oven. Preheat a broiler with a rack about 6 inches from the heat. Unmold pudding onto a cookie sheet or other flat pan. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top of the pudding, and place under broiler until golden brown, about 20 seconds. Serve while hot.

Steps:

• One day before preparing the pudding, place the bread cubes on a baking sheet and let stand at room temperature overnight, or until the cubes are dried out.
• The next day, in a big skillet, cook the bacon over med-high heat, turning once, for 5 minutes, or until evenly browned and crisp; remove to paper towels to drain.
• Butter a 13 x 9 inch baking dish; arrange the cubes in the dish.
• Scatter the bacon, peppers, and spinach leaves evenly over the cubes.
• Sprinkle with the 2 cups cheese.
• With a large spoon, evenly distribute the ingredients.
• In a big bowl, whisk together or beat with an electric mixer on medium speed the eggs, milk, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste until well blended.
• Ladle the milk mixture over the bread, using your fingers, if necessary, to press the bread into the liquid.
• Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese.
• Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
• The next morning, remove the baking dish from the refrigerator 1 hour before baking and preheat the oven to 350°.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until slightly puffed, set, and browned on the top.
• If the center is still underdone, push the bread down with a wooden spoon to help the bread absorb the liquid; bake for a few more minutes.
• Let rest for a few minutes and then cut into squares.
• Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.