Mushroom Leek Stuffing
I was shopping at Zupan's in Portland during Thanksgiving one year and instinctively grabbed some leeks. A good samaritan asked what the plan was and I admitted I wasn't sure. They immediately started raving about Ina Garten's Mushroom Leek Bread Pudding. I was sold. It's been a staple at Thanksgiving ever since. Her recipe calls it bread pudding but for our purposes (and to avoid consternated questions from guests) we'll call it stuffing.
Ingredients
6 cups (½-inch-diced) bread cubes from a rustic country loaf, crusts removed
2 tablespoons good olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 ounces pancetta, small-diced
4 cups sliced leeks, white and light green parts (4 leeks)
1½ pounds cremini mushrooms, stems trimmed and ¼-inch-sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves
1/4 cup medium or dry sherry
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
4 extra-large eggs
1½ cups heavy cream
1 cup chicken stock, preferably homemade
1½ cups grated Gruyère cheese (6 ounces), divided
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the bread cubes on a sheet pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Set aside.
Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a large (12-inch) sauté pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook for 5 minutes, until starting to brown. Stir in the leeks and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until the leeks are tender. Stir in the mushrooms, tarragon, sherry, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1½ teaspoons pepper and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until most of the liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally. Off the heat, stir in the parsley.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, chicken stock, and 1 cup of the Gruyère. Add the bread cubes and mushroom mixture, stirring well to combine. Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the liquid. Stir well and pour into a 2½ to 3-quart gratin dish (13 x 9 x 2 inches). Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of Gruyère and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is browned and the custard is set. Serve hot.