Savory Stilton And Walnut Bread Pudding Food

SAVORY BREAD PUDDING WITH ROASTED SHALLOTS, PECANS, AND HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Melt butter in an 8 to 10-inch oven-proof saute pan and then add shallots. Transfer to oven and roast until lightly browned, stirring often. Remove pan from oven and set aside.
• Over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 6-inch saute pan. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds; do not let garlic color. Add mushrooms and saute until browned. Carefully add brandy and flambe. Remove pan from heat immediately when flames subside. Stir in herbs and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
• Place the cream, eggs, pecans, nutmeg, salt and pepper in a blender with the sauteed shallots (make sure to scrape the pan with a rubber spatula). Blend on high speed for about 20 seconds. Set aside.
• Mix the cream mixture with the toasted pecans, bread cubes, and mushroom mixture. Mix well and refrigerate for about 1 hour, stirring every once in a while so that the bread fully absorbs the flambeed mixture.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Melt butter and then thoroughly brush the inside of 6 individual-sized ramekins. (It's best to use cool ramekins because the butter sticks better and forms a thicker coat). Fill ramekins about 3/4 full with the bread pudding mixture. Brush the tops with more melted butter. Place ramekins in a water bath and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and from water bath and let cool for about 15 minutes. Run a paring knife around the bread pudding on the inside edge of the ramekin. Invert onto serving plates. The bread pudding can be prepared 1 day in advance, refrigerated, and reheated before serving.

SWEET AND SAVORY BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Set an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish. Set aside.
• In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the butternut squash and parsnips. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until slightly softened. Set aside to cool.
• Add the bread to a large bowl.
• In another bowl mix together the heavy cream, eggs, brandy, vegetable oil, brown sugar, cinnamon and thyme. Pour the cream mixture over the bread and toss gently to coat. Add the cooled vegetables and toss until the bread is coated. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the bread pudding is puffed and golden.

SAVORY BREAD PUDDING

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.