Ingredients
- 12 to 14 cups (1/2-inch cubes) day-old French or Portuguese bread
- 4 cups milk
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 pound ground beef
- 1 pound chourico, linguica, or chorizo sausage, coarsely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups chopped onions
- 1 cup chopped green bell peppers
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Put the bread into a large mixing bowl and add the milk. Press the bread into the milk and let sit until the milk is absorbed and the bread is soft, about 15 minutes.
Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Add the sausage and cook, stirring until browned, about 3 minutes. Add the onions, bell peppers, celery, and bay leaf. Season with the salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the meat mixture to the bread mixture and stir to mix well. Add the eggs and parsley and stir to blend. Remove the bay leaf and discard.
Grease a 9 by 13-inch (3 quart) shallow baking dish with the remaining tablespoon olive oil. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and serve warm.