WILD MUSHROOM BREAD PUDDING WITH BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375°F . Coat a shallow 2-quart baking dish with butter. Place the porcinis in a medium heatproof bowl. Pour the boiling water over them and let the mushrooms sit until softened, about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, spread the bread cubes in an even layer on a baking sheet and bake until light golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside. Heat the butter and oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until the butter is foaming. Add the chanterelle and cremini mushrooms and cook, stirring rarely, until the mushrooms have released their liquid and are golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the shallot and thyme, stir to combine, and cook for 1 minute. transfer the rehydrated porcinis to the pan and set the mushroom liquid aside. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots have softened, about 1 minute more. Add the wine, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and cook until the wine has almost completely evaporated, about 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Scrape the mushroom mixture into the bowl with the toasted bread cubes (reserve the pan), add the egg, and stir to combine. Measure 1/2 cup of the reserved mushroom liquid, being careful not to include the sediment, and discard the remaining liquid. Drizzle the measured liquid into the bowl and stir to combine. Transfer the mushroom-bread mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer Return the reserved pan to medium-low heat, add the cream, and bring to a simmer. Whisking constantly, add the cheese 1 piece at a time, letting each piece melt before adding the next. (If you add the cheese too quickly or stop whisking, the sauce may break. If it does break, sprinkle in cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon at a time and add more cream a splash at a time while whisking until the sauce is bubbling, creamy, and smooth again.) Pour the cheese sauce evenly. bake 15-20