Savory Vegetable 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.

SAVORY VEGGIE BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8 glass baking dish with cooking spray or coat with oil. Coarsely chop bread into cubes and bake on a rimmed baking sheet until toasted and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
• 2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, add milk, scallions and frozen peas, and bring to a boil (to scald milk). Once boiling, immediately remove milk from heat and cover to steep.
• 3. Heat oil in skillet. Add onions and cook, 5-7 minutes until translucent. Add mushrooms and saute until mushrooms begin to release their juices. Add peppers and saute until mushrooms and peppers are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• 4. Beat eggs until smooth; add milk mixture (slightly cooled so eggs don't cook). Place bread crumbs in prepared dish, toss with cooked veggies and feta. Pour milk/egg mixture over bread/veggie mixture and, using a large spoon or spatula, mix a few times until just combined. Add a bit more milk if mixture appears dry. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, until cooked through and not jiggly in the middle.

SAVORY VEGETABLE BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Remove and discard ribs from Swiss chard. Rinse with cold water; drain and coarsely chop.
• Whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; stir in bread and half of cheese.
• Saute mushrooms and next 3 ingredients in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 8 minutes. Stir in Swiss chard, and sauté 2 minutes. Fold vegetable mixture into egg mixture. Pour into a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or until center is set. Let stand 5 minutes.