I started a community-wide dialogue (slight exaggeration but it did end up in Triad City Beat) about the difference between stuffing, dressing and savory bread pudding. I’m still unsure of the technical difference between a savory bread puddings and dressings. But, I do know that they are both share a common theme – a decadent blend of gluten-baked-heaven amongst delicious items like cheese, onions, pork products and mushrooms.

With all the chatter, I (easily) convinced my mother to prepare Ina Garten’s recipe for Mushroom and Leek Bread Pudding for our Thanksgiving meal. The recipe is perfect because it can be prepared in advance and baked right before eating. It was delicious piping hot out of the oven – and was, frankly, the only thing I could eat for Thanksgiving Leftovers Part III.

Ina’s Mushroom and Leek Bread Pudding

• 6 cups (1/2-inch-diced) bread cubes from a rustic country loaf, crusts removed
• 2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 1 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 ounces pancetta, small-diced
• 4 cups sliced leeks, white and light green parts (4 leeks)
• 1 1/2 pounds cremini mushrooms, stems trimmed and 1/4-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
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyere cheese (6 ounces), divided

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 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) saute 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 11/2 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 Gruyere. 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 2 1/2-to-3-quart gratin dish (13 x 9 x 2 inches). Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup Gruyere and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is browned and the custard is set. Serve hot.