Savory Bread Pudding Recipe
Total Time
2 hours and 15 minutes
Prep Time
45 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour and 30 minutes
Rating
4.3 out of 5 stars
(3)
Ingredients
10 servings
- 12 cups bread cubes (about one large French bread loaf) toasted
- 2 cups gruyere, shredded (or comte or Emmentaler cheese)
- 3 cups leeks (about 3-4 leeks depending on size) white and light green parts only.
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 large eggs
- 4 cups milk
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (or brown mustard)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper ( or use black pepper)
- 1 tablespoon chives or scallions
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (fresh grated is nice here)
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Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Step 2
Cut leeks into 1/2 inch rounds using only white and light green parts and place in a bowl of lukewarm water to remove dirt. Mix several times and let any dirt settle to the bottom. Rinsing in water also helps soften the leeks when sauteing.
Step 3
Set a skillet on med-high heat. Strain the leeks and addd them to the un-oiled pan. Season with salt and pepper, stir for 5 minutes. As leeks begin to soften, lower the heat to med-low. Stir in the butter and olive oil and cover the pan, stirring every 10 minutes for 20-30 mins, until tender and melting.
Step 4
Meanwhile, cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and toast on a sheet pan for 20 mins until golden and dry. You may need to mix or turn mid-way so they are evenly browned. Transfer to large bowl.
Step 5
In a medium bowl whisk 4 eggs. Add milk and half and half. (Don’t be tempted to use all half and half, it will turn out very rich) Whisk. Add salt, thyme, chives, nutmeg and white pepper. Whisk.
Step 6
Add your now tender buttery leaks to the toasted bread and toss well.
Step 7
Assemble
Step 8
Grease a 9x 13-inch baking dish and sprinkle the bottom with ½ cup cheese. Spread 1/2 of the leek and bread mixture in the pan and sprinkle with ½ cup more of the cheese. Add the rest of leek mixture to the pan. Mix the custard once more and carefully pour enough of it to cover the bread mixture, gently pressing on the cubes of bread allowing it to soak in. Let sit 10 mins.
Step 9
Then add the remaining custard, allowing some of the bread cubes to protrude. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Step 10
Bake in the middle of the oven until nicely puffed and lightly browned about 1 1/2 hours.
Step 11
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