Apple, Bacon, and Leek Bread Pudding
Make a savory bread pudding side dish for Thanksgiving or anytime.
Ingredients
Directions
-
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place bread cubes in two 15x10x1-inch baking pans or shallow roasting pans. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until crisp, rotating and stirring once. Set aside.
-
Heat a very large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp; drain bacon on paper towels, reserving 3 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon; set aside. Add mushrooms to skillet; cook about 7 minutes or until just brown. Stir in leeks and garlic; cook until just tender. Add apples; cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until apples begin to soften. Remove from heat; add crumbled bacon and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
-
In a 4-quart casserole or Dutch oven combine eggs, milk, cheese, salt, pepper, bread cubes, and the leek mixture; toss well. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.
-
Remove from refrigerator. Let stand 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Bake, covered, for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 30 minutes more or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center registers 170 degrees F. Let stand 20 minutes before serving. Makes 12 servings.