Tom Colicchio's Bread Pudding Topped Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

4 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 loaf Pullman white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 leeks, chopped
1 bulb fennel, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 stick butter, divided
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
6 eggs
1 quart heavy cream
1/2 cup golden raisins or dried cranberries, plumped in 1/4 cup water

Salt and pepper

Yields: 8-10 as a side

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

In a medium saucepot, place sweet potatoes in cold water, and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender, 10-12 minutes. Once tender, put into a food processor or blender and purée until smooth. Set aside.

Toast the bread cubes in the oven until golden brown, about 6-8 minutes.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sweat the leeks, fennel and carrots in 2 tablespoons of butter and the olive oil until softened and set aside.

Combine the eggs, cream and toasted bread. Drain the raisins and add to custard along with the cooked vegetables. Season well with salt and pepper.

In a buttered glass or ceramic dish, spread the sweet potato purée evenly over the bottom then top with the bread mixture. Top the bread with a few pads of butter and bake until bread is golden brown and purée is warmed through, about 30 minutes.