Mushroom Bread Pudding

Comforting embrace of textures and flavours, Mushroom Bread Pudding elevates humble ingredients into a sophisticated and deeply satisfying dish, perfect for cozy evenings, elegant brunches, or any occasion that calls for a touch of culinary warmth. This is not your grandmother’s sweet bread pudding; it’s a savory masterpiece, where the umami richness of mushrooms intertwines with the comforting softness of bread, infused with aromatic herbs and a hint of creamy indulgence, creating a bread pudding that is both hearty and refined, perfectly suited as a vegetarian main course, a flavourful side dish, or a delightful brunch offering, promising a culinary experience that is both comforting and surprisingly elegant. Envision the golden-brown crust yielding to a soft, savory interior, the earthy aroma of sautéed mushrooms mingling with the herbaceous scent of thyme and rosemary, and the first spoonful delivering a symphony of textures and flavours that warm you from the inside out, promising a dish that is both comforting and utterly delightful to share. This recipe is your gateway to savory bread pudding perfection, bringing the sophisticated charm of Mushroom Bread Pudding to your table, ready to impress with its depth of flavour and guaranteed to become a new favourite for its comforting nature and elegant taste.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Uniquely Savory Bread Pudding A Twist on a Classic Comfort Food

Embrace the unexpected savory twist of Mushroom Bread Pudding. This recipe reimagines classic bread pudding, transforming it from a sweet dessert into a hearty and flavourful savory dish, offering a unique and satisfying alternative to traditional bread puddings and showcasing the versatility of this comforting dish, making it a perfect choice for those seeking savory comfort food with a touch of sophistication, providing a culinary adventure that is both familiar and surprisingly new, expanding the horizons of bread pudding beyond the sweet realm. This is not your typical sweet bread pudding – it’s a savory and satisfying twist. Enjoy the unique experience of a savory bread pudding, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a comforting yet sophisticated dish that breaks away from traditional sweet versions.

Rich Umami Flavor Depth Earthy and Satisfying

Indulge in the rich umami flavour depth of Mushroom Bread Pudding. The combination of sautéed mushrooms, aromatic herbs, and savory cheese creates a deeply satisfying and flavourful dish, packed with umami richness that tantalizes the taste buds, making it a perfect choice for mushroom lovers and those who appreciate savory and flavourful comfort food, offering a culinary experience that is both hearty and deeply satisfying, providing a symphony of savory notes that will leave you feeling nourished and content. The combination of mushrooms, herbs, and cheese creates a deeply savory and umami-rich flavour. Savour the earthy and satisfying taste, making it a perfect choice for mushroom enthusiasts and those who appreciate robust and flavourful dishes.

Comforting and Hearty Perfect for Cozy Meals

Appreciate the comforting and hearty nature of Mushroom Bread Pudding. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, offering a warm and satisfying meal that is perfect for cozy evenings, chilly days, or any time you crave something truly comforting and nourishing, making it an ideal choice for family dinners, potlucks, or simply indulging in a moment of culinary comfort, providing a dish that is both soul-warming and deeply satisfying, offering a culinary hug in every bite. This bread pudding is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for cozy nights in. Enjoy the warm and hearty nature of this dish, making it a perfect choice for chilly evenings, family gatherings, and anyone seeking a comforting and satisfying meal.

Versatile Dish Main Course or Side Dish Adaptable to Any Occasion

Discover the versatility of Mushroom Bread Pudding. This dish can be served as a vegetarian main course, a flavourful side dish, or even a sophisticated brunch offering, making it adaptable to various occasions and meal types, offering endless serving possibilities and making it a valuable addition to your recipe repertoire, showcasing its flexibility and ensuring it can be enjoyed in numerous culinary contexts, from casual weeknight dinners to elegant weekend brunches, proving its adaptability and making it a truly versatile dish. This bread pudding is incredibly versatile and can be served as a main course, side dish, or brunch item. Enjoy the adaptability of this recipe, making it a perfect choice for various occasions and meal types, from casual dinners to elegant brunch gatherings.

Friendly Prep in Advance for Easy Entertaining

Embrace the make-ahead convenience of Mushroom Bread Pudding. This dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked later, making it a perfect choice for entertaining, allowing you to prepare it in advance and saving valuable time on the day of your event, offering a stress-free entertaining solution and ensuring a delicious and impressive dish is ready whenever you need it, simplifying your hosting duties and allowing you to focus on enjoying your guests and the occasion, making it a perfect choice for hosts who value convenience and seek make-ahead recipes. The bread pudding can be assembled ahead of time and baked later, making it ideal for entertaining. Enjoy the convenience of make-ahead preparation, making it a perfect choice for stress-free party planning and ensuring a flavourful dish is ready when you need it.

Ingredients

this …

For the Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding Base

• 1 loaf day-old bread, crusty bread like baguette or sourdough, cubed day-old bread. Day-old bread is essential for bread pudding, as it is slightly dried out and absorbs the custard mixture without becoming soggy. Crusty breads like baguette or sourdough provide good texture and structure. Cubing bread ensures even soaking.
• 1 pound mushrooms, cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms, sliced mushrooms. Mushrooms are the star ingredient, providing earthy flavour and savory depth to the bread pudding. Cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms offer different flavour profiles and textures. Slicing mushrooms allows for even cooking and distribution.
• 1 onion, yellow onion, diced yellow onion. Yellow onion adds a savory base flavour to the bread pudding, complementing the mushrooms and herbs. Diced onion provides even flavour distribution.
• 2 cloves garlic, garlic cloves, minced garlic cloves. Garlic adds aromatic pungency and depth of flavour to the bread pudding, enhancing the savory notes. Minced garlic ensures even flavour distribution.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is used for sautéing the vegetables, adding flavour and preventing sticking. Extra virgin olive oil provides the best flavour and healthy fats.
• 2 cups milk, whole milk or dairy-free milk alternative. Milk forms the base of the custard mixture, adding richness and moisture to the bread pudding. Whole milk or dairy-free alternatives like almond milk or oat milk can be used.
• 4 large eggs, large eggs. Large eggs bind the bread pudding together and add richness and structure to the custard.
• 1 cup cheese, Gruyère, cheddar, or mozzarella cheese, shredded cheese. Cheese adds savory flavour, richness, and melty texture to the bread pudding. Gruyère, cheddar, or mozzarella offer different flavour profiles. Shredded cheese melts evenly. Ensure to use halal certified cheese.
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, fresh parsley, chopped fresh parsley. Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous flavour and freshness to the bread pudding, balancing the richness and adding a touch of green. Fresh parsley is essential for flavour and visual appeal.
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, fresh thyme leaves. Fresh thyme adds a warm, earthy, and slightly lemony flavour to the bread pudding, complementing the mushrooms and herbs. Fresh thyme provides the best flavour.
• 1 teaspoon salt, kosher salt or sea salt. Salt enhances all the flavours in the bread pudding, seasoning the dish and preventing a bland taste. Kosher salt or sea salt are preferred for their pure flavour and even seasoning.
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground black pepper. Freshly ground black pepper adds a pungent and slightly spicy note to the bread pudding, enhancing the savory flavours. Freshly ground pepper provides the best flavour.

Optional Enhancements for Flavor and Texture

• ¼ cup dry sherry or mushroom broth, dry sherry or mushroom broth (optional). Dry sherry or mushroom broth can be added to the mushroom mixture for enhanced depth of flavour and moisture (ensure sherry is alcohol-free or substitute with broth). Dry sherry adds a nutty and complex flavour. Mushroom broth intensifies mushroom flavour.
• ½ cup cream or crème fraîche, heavy cream or crème fraîche (optional). Heavy cream or crème fraîche can be added to the custard mixture for extra richness and creaminess (optional). Heavy cream adds richness and luxurious texture. Crème fraîche adds tanginess and richness. Ensure to use halal certified cream and crème fraîche.

How to Make Mushroom Bread Pudding ?

Step 1: Prepare the Mushroom Mixture

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Preheat oven to the specified temperature for baking the bread pudding.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.

Add diced onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add diced yellow onion to the skillet and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sautéing onion softens it and develops flavour.

Add sliced mushrooms and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until mushrooms are softened and browned, about 8-10 minutes. Add sliced mushrooms and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until mushrooms are softened, browned, and have released their moisture, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sautéing mushrooms deepens their flavour and reduces moisture content.

Season mushroom mixture with salt and black pepper. Season sautéed mushroom mixture with kosher salt or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Seasoning enhances the flavour of the mushrooms.

Remove mushroom mixture from heat and set aside to cool slightly. Remove skillet from heat and set aside sautéed mushroom mixture to cool slightly while preparing the bread and custard. Cooling prevents wilting of fresh herbs and allows for easier handling.

Step 2: Prepare the Bread and Custard

In a large bowl, combine cubed day-old bread. In a large mixing bowl, combine cubed day-old bread.

In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, chopped parsley, fresh thyme, and shredded cheese. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk (whole milk or dairy-free alternative), large eggs, chopped fresh parsley, fresh thyme leaves, and shredded cheese (Gruyère, cheddar, or mozzarella) until well combined. Whisking ensures even distribution of custard ingredients.

Step 3: Assemble the Mushroom Bread Pudding

Add cooled mushroom mixture to the bowl with the bread cubes. Add cooled sautéed mushroom mixture to the bowl with the cubed day-old bread.

Pour custard mixture over the bread and mushroom mixture. Pour whisked custard mixture evenly over the bread and mushroom mixture in the bowl.

Gently toss bread mixture to ensure bread cubes are evenly coated with custard. Gently toss bread and mushroom mixture with custard using your hands or a spatula to ensure bread cubes are evenly coated and begin to absorb the liquid.

Let bread pudding mixture stand for 15-20 minutes to allow bread to absorb custard. Let bread pudding mixture stand at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to allow bread cubes to soak up the custard mixture and soften slightly. Soaking ensures a moist and tender bread pudding.

Step 4: Bake the Mushroom Bread Pudding

Pour bread pudding mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour soaked bread pudding mixture into a greased or lightly oiled 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly.

Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until bread pudding is golden brown on top, set in the center, and custard is cooked through. Baking time may vary slightly depending on oven and dish.

Let Mushroom Bread Pudding cool slightly before serving. Let baked Mushroom Bread Pudding cool slightly for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set further and cool enough to handle.

Serve Mushroom Bread Pudding warm and enjoy each savory and comforting bite. Serve Mushroom Bread Pudding warm as a main course, side dish, or brunch item.

Enjoy each savory and comforting bite of Mushroom Bread Pudding.

Tips for Variations

Mushroom Variety Wild Mushrooms or Mixed Mushrooms Enhanced Flavor

Use a variety of wild mushrooms like morels, chanterelles, or porcini, or a mix of different mushrooms, for a more complex and intense mushroom flavour. Wild mushrooms offer unique and earthy flavour profiles. Mixed mushrooms add complexity and depth.

Cheese Options Gruyère, Fontina, or Parmesan Cheese Different Cheese Flavors

Experiment with different cheeses like Fontina, Parmesan, or a blend of cheeses, for varied flavour profiles and meltiness. Fontina cheese adds a nutty and creamy flavour. Parmesan cheese adds a salty and savory flavour. Cheese blends offer complexity. Ensure to use halal certified cheese.

Herb Infusions Rosemary, Sage, or Chives Aromatic Herbs

Use different herbs like fresh rosemary, sage, or chives instead of or in addition to thyme and parsley, for varied aromatic and flavour notes. Rosemary adds a piney and robust flavour. Sage adds an earthy and slightly peppery flavour. Chives add a mild oniony flavour.

Spice Kick Red Pepper Flakes or Dijon Mustard Subtle Heat

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mushroom mixture or a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the custard for a subtle kick of heat and spice. Red pepper flakes add mild heat. Dijon mustard adds tanginess and subtle spice.

Vegetarian Protein Additions Spinach, Asparagus, or Artichoke Hearts Extra Vegetables

Add other vegetables like sautéed spinach, asparagus, or artichoke hearts to the mushroom mixture for added nutrition and flavour, making it a more substantial vegetarian meal. Spinach, asparagus, or artichoke hearts add flavour and texture.

Serving Suggestions

Green Salad Light and Fresh Side Dish

Serve Mushroom Bread Pudding alongside a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette for a balanced and complete meal, offering a fresh and contrasting side dish to the rich bread pudding. Green salad provides freshness and lightness.

Roasted Vegetables Hearty and Wholesome Pairing

Serve Mushroom Bread Pudding with roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts for a hearty and wholesome vegetarian meal, complementing the savory flavours of the bread pudding. Roasted vegetables add flavour and nutritional value.

Creamy Soup Tomato Soup or Mushroom Soup Comforting Meal

Serve Mushroom Bread Pudding with a creamy tomato soup or mushroom soup for an extra comforting and warming meal, enhancing the savory and cozy nature of the dish. Soup and bread pudding create a comforting and satisfying combination. Ensure to use halal certified cream in soup if applicable.

Brunch Buffet Elegant Brunch Option

Include Mushroom Bread Pudding as part of a brunch buffet spread, offering a savory and elegant option alongside sweet brunch dishes. Bread pudding is a versatile brunch item.

Light Lunch or Supper Satisfying and Flavorful

Serve Mushroom Bread Pudding as a satisfying and flavourful light lunch or supper, perfect for a comforting and easy meal any time of day. Bread pudding is a complete and satisfying meal on its own.

FAQ

Can I use different types of bread for Mushroom Bread Pudding?

Yes, you can use different types of day-old bread for Mushroom Bread Pudding, such as ciabatta, challah, or even leftover cornbread. Crusty breads work best.

How long does Mushroom Bread Pudding last in the refrigerator?

Mushroom Bread Pudding can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently before serving. Refrigeration extends shelf life.

Can I freeze Mushroom Bread Pudding?

Yes, you can freeze Mushroom Bread Pudding after baking. Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Freezing is a good option for longer storage.

Can I make Mushroom Bread Pudding ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble Mushroom Bread Pudding ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, unbaked, for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving. Make-ahead preparation is convenient for entertaining.

Is Mushroom Bread Pudding vegetarian?

Yes, Mushroom Bread Pudding as described in this recipe is vegetarian. Ensure to use vegetarian cheese and milk alternatives if needed to maintain vegetarian status. Vegetarian bread pudding is a great meatless option.

Print