Mushroom Ricotta Bread Pudding (Strata) - Very Good Cook

Ingredients

• 1 pound (500 g) whole mushrooms such as white button, cremini, clamshell, trumpet (or a mixture of these)
• ½ pound (250 g) day-old, crusty, country-style bread, such as sourdough boule
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• ¾ cup (95 g) diced, peeled yellow onion
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped, peeled garlic (about 2 medium garlic cloves)
• ½ cup (120 ml) water, or white wine
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups (500 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (115 g) whole ricotta cheese
• ¼ cup (60 ml) finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup (90 g) grated melting cheese, such as gruyère, monterey jack, or cheddar