Serves8
- Active time:35 min
- Start to finish:1 1/2 hr
December 2007
Going beyond the customary side dishes for beef (mushrooms and a gratin), we’ve combined all the luxurious flavor of wild mushrooms sautéed in cream with good buttered toast for these single-serving puddings, giving every guest a perfect mix of crisp, golden surface and warm, melting interior.
-
4
cups
(1/2-inch) fresh bread cubes (preferably brioche or challah; about 5 ounces)
-
1 1/2
lb
mixed fresh wild mushrooms such as chanterelle, cremini, and oyster, trimmed
-
1/2
cup
finely chopped shallot
-
2
tablespoons
unsalted butter
-
1/2
cup
finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
-
2
large garlic cloves, finely chopped
-
2
cups
half-and-half
-
4
large eggs
-
1/2
cup
grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
-
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
-
Bake bread cubes in 1 layer in a large shallow baking pan until golden-brown, about 10 minutes.
-
Tear or cut mushrooms lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces.
-
Cook shallot in butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until liquid mushrooms give off has evaporated, about 15 minutes. Add parsley and garlic and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
-
Whisk together half-and-half, eggs, cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Stir in mushrooms and bread cubes until coated well and let stand 10 minutes for bread to absorb some of egg mixture.
-
Meanwhile, butter ramekins, then put a round of parchment in bottom of each and butter parchment.
-
Spoon mixture into ramekins and bake on a baking sheet until firm to the touch, 30 to 35 minutes. Unmold puddings and discard parchment.
Cooks’ notes: - Mushroom bread pudding can be baked in a buttered 2-quart shallow baking dish (not lined with parchment; do not unmold pudding from baking dish).
- Bread cubes can be baked 1 day ahead and cooled, then kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Pudding can be assembled (but not baked) 2 hours ahead and chilled, covered.
