Name: Savory Bread Pudding with Roasted Shallots, Pecans, and Herbs
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H40M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT1H20M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT3H15M0.000S
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 8 large shallots, roughly cut; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 heaping tablespoon chopped garlic; 12 shiitake mushroom caps, thinly sliced; 3 ounces brandy; 1/2 cup chopped fresh chives; 1/2 heaping tablespoon chopped fresh thyme; 2 to 3 fresh sage leaves, chopped; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 26 ounces cream; 6 whole eggs; 1/2 cup pecans, toasted; Small pinch nutmeg; About 1 tablespoon salt; About 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 cup pecans, toasted; 10 ounces stale bread, diced into 3/4-inch cubes*; 1 stick butter

Directions

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.

Cook’s Note

*Bread should be stale and not completely dry. Focaccia and brioche types work well. Avoid crusty bread because the hard crust does not absorb as well as softer breads.