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Ham and Cheese Strata

Source of Recipe

From "Mad Hungry: Cravings" by Lucinda Quinn


Recipe Introduction

"I first encountered this dish as a little girl, when my mom's friend hosted a catered Thanksgiving brunch. I thought it was a fancy casserole that only a 'professional' could make, which is pretty funny when I think about it now. A strata is a caterer's dream, and it's also one of the simplest dishes for a home cook when entertaining. Prep and refrigerate it uncooked the night before. Pop it in the oven just before brunch, leaving the stovetop free for other tasks."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
â—¦ 10 large eggs
â—¦ 2 ½ cups whole milk
â—¦ 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
â—¦ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or sweet paprika
â—¦ 1 teaspoon coarse salt
â—¦ 1 loaf of Pullman or sandwich bread, cut into 1-inch squares
â—¦ 1 pound boiled or baked deli ham, chopped into ½-inch dice
â—¦ 5 scallions, thinly sliced
â—¦ 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded


Recipe

Butter a 2 ½- to 3-quart baking dish with the softened butter.
Whisk together the eggs, milk, mustard, paprika, and salt in a large bowl.

Arrange half the bread in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half the ham, scallions, and cheese. Repeat, layering the rest of the bread and then the remaining ham, scallions, and cheese, pressing them down as necessary to fit in the baking dish. Carefully pour over the egg mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat the oven to 325° F with a rack in the middle position.
Bake the strata, uncovered, for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Serves 6 to 8



• Decorative Baking Dishes:
A recipe like this, cooked and served in the same vessel, is worthy of a handsome rectangular or oval baking dish. Beautiful hand-painted clay, colorful enamel cast iron, or sleeker porcelain versions — are all worth investing in. I have an eclectic collection of them, accumulated over time, and I love to mix instead of match. And one of these makes a great shower or wedding gift.