Jacques Pépin's Seafood Bread

Step 1

Put the parsley, other herbs, and garlic in the food-processor bowl, and process until the mixture is chopped fine.

Step 2

Add the nuts, softened butter, salt, pepper, and white wine, and process until blended.

Step 3

Stir in the shallots.

Step 4

Using a sharp knife, cut off the top of the bread loaf, and remove the top or "lid" of the bread. Set this "lid" aside, to eat or use in another recipe.

Step 5

Measuring in about ¾-inch from the edge of the loaf, cut down into and all around the loaf, taking care not to penetrate the sides or bottom, to create a neat edge from which to remove the interior crumb. Twist the soft insides to loosen them, then pull them out, so you have a large receptacle or shell.

Step 6

If the insides of the bread are very soft, cut them into pieces and dry them briefly in the hot oven. Then place about half of the insides into the bowl of a food processor, and process to make 2½ to 3 cups of crumbs. Set these aside, and keep the remainder of the bread insides for another use.

Step 7

Cut the seafood into 1-inch pieces

Step 8

Slice the mushrooms.

Step 9

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 10

Using a large spatula, coat the inside of the hollow loaf with about a third of the garlic-herb butter. Sprinkle half the mushrooms and half the seafood into the bread receptacle, and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.

Step 11

Add a layer of the garlic-herb butter, then about half of the breadcrumbs, and the remainder of the seafood and mushrooms. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Step 12

Finally, spread the remaining butter on top, cover with the remaining breadcrumbs, and moisten the breadcrumbs with the vermouth or white wine.

Step 13

Place the filled bread loaf on a cookie sheet, and bake for about 1 hour. Let the bread rest for 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven, then cut it into large chunks, and serve immediately.