Ham, Egg & Cheese Strata

HAM, EGG & CHEESE STRATA

4/11/2017

There is definitely starting to be a little Easter buzz going on around our home front! Spring cleaning is almost finished up and our Easter decorations are all in place. This spring has been so warm and sunny that there are even more blooming flowers around the house than usual - my tulips, daffodils and crocus are in full bloom, and even my lilacs are getting ready to make an appearance!

Speaking of lilacs, I've discovered my favorite new cleaning product - Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day in Lilac scent. I've been trying to steer away totally from harsh stinky chemicals in our house, and this stuff is CRAZY good! Aromatherapeutic essential oils and naturally-derived ingredients clean like the dickens and I can't believe how gentle they are on my skin! The scent is just out of this world - I feel like I'm standing in the middle of a lilac bush! The Lilac Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner, Dish Soap and Hand Soap are my definite favorites this spring! I've found the best selection and prices at Target.

And another family favorite is this Ham, Egg & Cheese Strata, which will be making its usual appearance at our Easter brunch.

Ham, Egg & Cheese Strata

It has been a while since I tweaked this recipe on the blog, and thought it was also time to take some new photos to share with you.

COOKING SCHOOL TIP: Use blocks of cheese and shred or grate fresh for all your recipes, as you will get a creamier melt. Packages of pre-shredded cheese that you buy at the grocery store contain all kinds of chemicals (including wood pulp) to stabilize it and keep the cheese from clumping together.

This wonderful breakfast strata (which is just a fancy word for casserole) is everything that you want - custardy egg filling, textured bread that doesn't get all mushy on you, and wonderful flavor from ham and sautéed onions. And don't forget the cheese! I usually use a combination of Swiss, provolone and cheddar, but you can certainly substitute your favorite cheeses!

This one is ALWAYS a family and guest favorite - at Easter and every other time that I make it. It's also pretty nice that you can make it the night before in about 15 minutes, and just pop it in the oven the next morning when you get up. SO GOOD!

Ham, Egg & Cheese Strata

HAM, EGG & CHEESE STRATA

Ham, Egg & Cheese Strata is an easy make-ahead breakfast casserole perfect for a holiday, a special breakfast, or just a lazy weekend brunch. Serve with some fresh fruit and pastries, with some coffee and mimosas, and you’ve got a party!

Ham, Egg & Cheese Strata

INGREDIENTS:
8 cups bread cubes (croissants – cut into 1” pieces, or 1 large loaf unsliced rustic bread (Italian,
French or Challah) bread with crusts removed and torn into 1-inch chunks)
4 tablespoons butter
1 large Vidalia onion, chopped
3 cups ham, diced or cut into strips
12 eggs
1-1/3 cup half & half
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
1-1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (shred from a block of cheese)
1-1/2 cups shredded provolone cheese (shred from a block of cheese)
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (shred from a block of cheese)
Chopped parsley (garnish)

HOW I MAKE THIS:

Place bread crumbs on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes; set aside. This will dry them out and crisp them up for better texture!
Lightly spray a 3-quart baking dish or casserole with non-stick spray.
Freshly shred the three cheeses – you will have a creamier consistency if you shred from blocks of cheese, rather than using packaged pre-shredded cheeses.
Saute onion in butter until soft. Mix in ham and continue cooking for two minutes. Remove from heat.
Place a third of the bread cubes in the baking dish. Top with half of the ham mixture and sprinkle with a third of the shredded cheese.
Add another layer of bread and top with the remaining ham mixture and another third of the shredded cheese.
Top on the remaining bread cubes and top with remaining shredded cheese.
Whisk together the eggs, half & half, mustard, salt and pepper.
Gently pour over the strata and let it chill in the fridge, covered, for at least 4 hours or overnight.
When ready to bake, let strata sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake uncovered, until puffed and golden brown, about 35-45 minutes.
Remove from oven and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve warm!

YIELD: 8 to 10 servings

Originally posted April 2012; text and photos updated April 2017.

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