Ingredients

Let’s Cook!

• 1
  PREPARING THE BREAD PUDDING Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the half-inch bread cubes on a sheet pan, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the bread is lightly browned. Set the bread aside.Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large (12-inch) sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the Fullblood Wagyu sweet Italian sausage, and cook for 5 minutes until the meat is starting to brown. Stir in the sliced leeks, and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until the leeks are tender.
• 2
  Stir in the sliced mushrooms, dry sherry, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.Cook for 10 to 12 minutes until most of the liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally. Off the heat, stir in the minced parsley and chopped tarragon leaves.In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, chicken stock, and 1 cup of the gruyere cheese. Add the recently baked bread cubes and mushroom/leeks mixture, stirring well to combine.
• 3
  Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the liquid.
• 4
  FINAL STEPS Stir the ingredients in the bowl well. Pour into a 2 1/2 quarts or 3 quarts gratin baking dish (13 x 9 x 2 inches). Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of gruyere cheese on top. Cover the baking dish with foil, and bake for 45 minutes at 350°F.Remove the foil, and cook for another 10 minutes or until the top is browned and the custard is set. Serve hot, and enjoy!