Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter or olive oil, plus more for greasing the pan

6 cups dense white bread, cut or torn into 1-inch chunks

2 cups milk

Salt and fresh black pepper

2 ounces grated Parmesan

4 ounces freshly grated semisoft cheese, like Emmenthal

1 cup sliced shiitake mushroom caps

Preparation

  1. Butter or oil an 8-inch souffle or baking dish, and put bread in it. Combine everything but shiitakes, and pour over bread. Submerge bread with a weighted plate, and turn oven to 350 degrees. Heat 2 tablespoons butter or oil in a saute pan, add shiitakes and saute until tender, about 10 minutes.

  2. Remove plate, and stir in mushrooms. Bake until pudding is just set, 35 to 45 minutes.