Puffball Parmesan

Make the Marinara

1. Heat olive oil in 4qt. to 6qt. pot on medium heat. Add garlic and onion, and sauté until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).

2. (Optional) add ⅓ cup dry white wine or sherry, and simmer for 2 minutes.

3. Stir in the tomatoes, salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle bubble, then lower and simmer uncovered to create a thick sauce (about 20 minutes).

4. While waiting, start making the breadcrumbs.

5. After the sauce has thickened, stir in fresh basil, turn off heat, and set aside.

Toast the Breadcrumbs

1. Tear fresh bread into rough chunks (or cut into 1" cubes).

2. Pulse bread chunks in food processor until you get coarse, uneven crumbs (pea-sized and a little smaller).

3. Spread crumbs in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for about 4 to 6 minutes. Stir the crumbs, and then continue baking until they are golden brown and completely dry (another 4 to 6 minutes).

4. Remove crumbs from oven (keep the oven on at 350°F) and transfer crumbs to a wide bowl. Cool to room temperature.

Prepare the Puffball(s)

Oven should still be at 350°F.

1. Use a damp paper towel to wipe away any large debris from the puffball (do not wash).

2. Over a paper towel, flexible cutting mat, or a trash, peel the tough outer layer and discard.

3. Move the peeled puffball to a clean cutting board. Slice vertically down the middle first, ensure it's chalk-white like a marshmallow, and discard any puffballs with greenish-yellow or black interiors.

4. Cut puffball into ½" slices. (If the slices seem very fresh and wet, consider sprinkling lightly with salt and laying in a single layer on paper towels for about 15 minutes, to draw out excess moisture.)

5. Beat eggs with 1 Tbsp. water

6. Dip puffball slices in egg, then coat both sides with cooled bread crumbs.

7. Arrange the puffball slices as a single layer on baking sheet, and bake at 350°F for 5 minutes. Flip and bake for another 5 minutes. (If your puffball slices don't all fit, do this in batches or on separate baking sheets.) Remove baking sheet from oven (keep oven at 350°F).

8. Transfer slices to a plate or wire rack to cool.

Prepare the Casserole

Oven should still be at 350°F.

1. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of 9"x13" baking dish. Overlay a layer of the baked puffball slices and then top with an even layer of sprinkled cheeses.

2. Repeat the layering (marinara, then slices, then cheese) until the slices are all used. Sprinkle some dried basil on top.

3. Bake the casserole at 350°F until the edges bubble and the cheese is golden brown (35 to 45 minutes). Turn on the broiler for about 2 minutes at the end, to make it more crispy.