HappyCook80's Recipe

Leek and Shiitake Bread Pudding

Category: Recipes

Leek and Shiitake Bread Pudding

4 medium leeks, trimmed, halved lengthwise and washed
4 tablespoons butter, more for pan
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
7 ounces shiitake mushrooms, brushed off and halved or quartered, if large
3 cups milk
1 clove garlic, crushed
8 1/2 inch thick slices day-old semolina bread
3 eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
pinch ground coriander.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut leeks diagonally into 2 inch sections and cut off bottom-most half inch, at root end, and discard.

In large sautee pan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add leeks, season with salt and pepper, and cover. Simmer over low heat until leeks are just tender but not mushy, for about 10 minutes. Add mushrooms, toss to coat, and cook until tender, for about 5 minutes. Uncover and cook off all but 2 tablespoons liquid. Check seasoning and set aside.

In small pan, heat milk over medium-high heat. While it heats, season to taste with salt and pepper. When bubbles form around edge, remove from heat, and add garlic. Place bread in a bowl, and pour milk over it. Let soak for 10 minutes.

In small bowl, whisk eggs and cream. Season with salt, pepper and coriander.

Bring medium pot of water to boil. Place roasting pan large enough to hold medium oval casserole in oven. Butter the dish. Using spatula, lift slice of bread from milk, and drain well. Press bread up against end of dish so that it comes up sides. Spoon some leek mixture over. Place second bread slice atop first, covering 1/2 of it. Repeat with all the bread and leek mixture. Layers should be snug, with slices looking like fallen dominoes. Discard milk and
garlic.

Whisk cream and eggs again, pour evenly over bread and leeks. Place casserole in roasting pan, pour enough boiling water around
casserole to come halfway up sides. Bake for 40 minutes, until pudding is set at edges but still a little wet in middle. Increase
oven setting to 375 degrees and bake for 10 minutes more to set middle and to crisp top. Serve.
Yields 6 servings.