Czech Republic Comfort Food Recipe for Cheesy Spinach Bread Pudding With Mushrooms and Raisins

Ingredients for 8 servings

Depending upon portion size, yields 6 to 8 servings.

Cooking time ranges from 50 to 60 minutes, according to doneness.

8 slices bread, cubed, to measure about 4 cups

juice of 1/2 lemon (= about 1 to 1 1/2 Tablespoons)

zest of 1/2 lemon ( = 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons)

1 pound of baby spinach, to be chopped

• Or:  16 ounces frozen spinach, thawed

1 pound fresh button mushrooms, sliced to measure about 2 cups

1 cup raisins

2 Tablespoons oil:  olive or sunflower

• 1 Tablespoon to sauté onion
• 1 Tablespoon to grease baking dish

1 medium red or yellow onion, chopped or sliced

seasonings:

• 1/8 teaspoon mace
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme (Or:  1/4 teaspoon crushed dried thyme)

4 eggs, separated

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup sour cream

1/4 pound Cheddar cheese, shredded to measure about 1 cup

• Or:  1/4 pound feta cheese, cubed to measure about 2/3 cup

1/4 pound Parmesan cheese, shredded to measure about 1 cup:

• 1/2 cup of shredded cheese to be mixed with batter 
• 1/2 cup to be sprinkled on top

1/4 cup rolled oats, for dusting baking dish

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C; Gas Mark 4).

2. Place bread cubes into large mixing bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice and zest.

• Add mushrooms, raisins, and spinach. Mix well.
• Allow to sit while bread absorbs lemon juice.

3. Set burner at medium-high and heat oil. Add onion and cook until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.

• Reduce heat to medium, sprinkle with seasonings (mace, black pepper, white pepper, salt, thyme), and sauté for 2 or 3 minutes.
• Remove from burner and allow to cool briefly.

4. In medium bowl beat eggs.

• Whisk in buttermilk, cream, and Cheddar (or feta) cheese.

5. Pour over bread and spinach mixture; fold to combine well.

• Add in onion sauté and lightly combine.
• Cover with lid and lightly toss.

6. Briefly warm 9×9 baking dish in oven.

• Remove and grease with 1 Tablespoon of oil.
• Dust with 1/4 cup rolled oats.
• Pour mixture into baking dish.
• Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan.

7. Bake until golden and firm in center and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 50 to 60 minutes.

Serve warm.

Servings:  6 to 8.

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet. 

a taste-filled attractive trio: cheese and spinach in a bread pudding: Joel Kramer (joelk75), CC BY 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/75001512@N00/5503447011/

hot from the oven: Joel Kramer (Joelk75), CC BY 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/75001512@N00/5504036688/