Savory Bread Pudding With Bacon Peppers And Spinach Food

SAVORY SPINACH AND CHEESE BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 375 F.
• Cut the bread into 1-inch chunks and spread on a baking sheet.
• Put in the oven for about 10 minutes-you're just drying it out a bit, you don't want to toast it. Let the bread cool.
• If needed, rinse the spinach to remove any dirt or grit. Lift out of the water and drain in a colander or salad spinner.
• Meanwhile, peel and finely chop the garlic or shallot. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a small frying pan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the garlic or shallot and cook, stirring, until softened and gently fragrant, about 3 minutes.
• Add the cleaned spinach and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring, until the ​ spinach is wilted , has released its liquid, and that liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Crack the eggs into a large bowl. Lightly beat or whisk. Add the milk and whisk to combine thoroughly. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Set aside.
• Grate the cheese and set aside.
• Use the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to coat a large (9 x 13) baking dish. Add the bread cubes to the dish. Arrange the cooked spinach mixture in and on the bread cubes. Sprinkle the cheese all over the bread and spinach.
• Pour in the egg-milk mixture; it should cover everything. If any bread cubes poke out, push them down into the liquid. Let the entire thing sit for at least 30 minutes (make ahead tip: cover and chill up to overnight; let it sit out for about 30 minutes before baking to take off the chill). Letting it all sit allows the bread time to soak up the egg-milk mixture, which will lead to a much better final texture than if you bake it right away.
• Bake until just a tiny bit jiggly in the center, but basically set everywhere else and browned along the edge, about 35 minutes. If it's still jiggly and getting too browned on top, cover with foil to cook a bit more.
• Let sit at least 10 minutes and up to 30 before cutting into pieces to serve.
• Serve hot or warm.

SAVORY BREAD PUDDING WITH SAUSAGE, SPINACH, POACHED EGGS, AND PARMESAN-THYME CREAM

Steps:

• For the Parmesan-thyme cream: In a heavy-bottomed saucepot over medium-low heat, add the cream, bay leaf and garlic. Simmer until reduced by two-thirds, about 20 minutes, being careful not boil the liquid or scorch the bottom of the pot. With a slotted spoon, remove the garlic and bay leaf. Whisk in the Parmesan. When the Parmesan has melted the sauce is smooth, add the thyme, salt and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes. Serve warm. (Make 1 quart.)
• For the savory bread pudding: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until beginning to soften, 4 minutes. Add the celery, garlic and thyme; cook for another 3 minutes. Set aside and let cool.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs, and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. In another mixing bowl place the cubed bread. Pour the milk-egg mixture over the bread and mix. Let sit for 10 minutes, until the bread has soaked up liquid. Fold in onion mixture.
• Grease an 8-by-10-inch baking dish with the butter. Add the bread mixture and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and cook until the top is toasted and golden brown, another 10 to 15 minutes.
• To serve, cut into 4-by-4-inch portions and place on a plate. Add a sausage patty, 1/4 cup of the spinach and two poached eggs. Pour one-quarter of the Parmesan-thyme cream over the top.

SAVORY BACON AND CHEESE BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Cut the bread into cubes and place the cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, until just barely toasted. Remove the bread cubes from the oven and set aside.
• Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until very crisp. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
• Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat and discard the rest. Add the butter to the bacon fat in the skillet and sauté the garlic and onions for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
• Whisk the eggs and cream in a large mixing bowl. Add the bread cubes, bacon, garlic and onions, and 2 cups of the Cheddar cheese. Whisk in the salt, pepper, and parsley.
• Butter a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan. Pour the mixture into the pan and sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese. Bake for 45 minutes, or until firm and brown.

SAVORY BREAD PUDDING WITH SPINACH AND MUSHROOMS

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).

ARUGULA, BACON, AND GRUYèRE BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle. Butter a 2-qt shallow baking dish.
• Whisk together milk, cream, eggs, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a large bowl.
• Cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain, then coarsely crumble.
• Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet. Increase heat to medium-high and cook shallot and garlic, stirring constantly, until golden, about 1 minute. Gradually add arugula and cook, stirring, until it wilts.
• Stir arugula mixture, bacon, bread, and cheese into custard. Transfer to baking dish and cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake until golden in spots, about 10 minutes more.

SAVORY BREAD PUDDING WITH BACON, PEPPERS, AND SPINACH

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.