I tried this recipe from Chef Tyler Florence last year, and everyone loved it. It's a really nice twist on traditional dressing without being too "out there". You can change up the herbs and bread (I have since used both brioche and challah with success) you use to echo other flavors in your meal. Enjoy! Savory Wild Mushroom Bread Pudding
1 1/3 cup heavy cream
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 loaf crusty Italian bread, cubed
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for buttering baking dish
2 shallots, sliced
4 pounds mixed wild mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
3 tablespoons chopped chives
3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
3 tablespoons fresh sage leaves
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan, plus more to top
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place cubed bread on a sheet pan and toast in the oven until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
In a large saute pan melt the butter and saute the shallots until just wilted. Add mushrooms and saute until browned, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and reserve.
In a large bowl make custard, whisk together the cream with the eggs and season with salt and pepper.
Add toasted bread cubes along with the chives, thyme and sage to the egg mixture. Stir in the sauteed mushrooms and mix in the grated Parmesan.
Transfer the mixture to a 9 by 13-inch baking dish, top with more grated Parmesan, to taste.
Bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
