Arugula, Bacon & Gruyere Bread Pudding - WTF and WOW Recipe Wednesday

Source

Arugula, Bacon & Gruyere Bread Pudding (www.lottieanddoof.com)

Ingredients

1 ½ cups whole milk

½ cup heavy cream

5 large eggs

6 bacon slices

1 large shallot, finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, chopped

6 oz baby arugula or baby spinach (6 cups)

6 cups cubed (1-inch) country-style bread (1 pound)

5 ½ oz Gruyere cheese, coarsely grated (1 ½ cups)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees with rack in the middle.  Butter a 2-qt shallow baking dish.  Whisk together milk, cream, eggs and ¼ tsp each of salt and black pepper in a large bowl.  Cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp.  Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain, then coarsely crumble.  Pour off all but 1 Tbsp fat from skillet.  Increase heat to medium-high and cook shallot and garlic, stirring constantly, until golden, about 1 minute.  Gradually add arugula and cook, stirring, until it wilts.  Stir arugula mixture, bacon, bread and cheese into custard.  Transfer to baking dish and cover with foil.  Bake 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake until golden in spots, about 10 minutes more.