Ham, Spinach and Fontina (Or Gruyere) Strata

A rich and delicious strata that would be a nice feature dish at a brunch. This can be assembled a day ahead. Just cover and refrigerate before baking. This is another recipe from the Best of Bridge ladies. They are legends from my home town. Enjoy!
- Ready In:
- 1hr 20mins
- Serves:
- Units:
1
Person talking
ingredients
- 1 large baguette
- 1⁄4 cup butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 1 lb ham, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 4 large eggs
- 4 cups milk
- 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg, grated
- salt & freshly ground black pepper
- 6 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped (about 2 bunches)
- 3⁄4 lb Fontina cheese or 3/4 lb gruyere cheese, grated
directions
- Preheat broiler. Cut baguette diagnoally into 3/4" thick slices. Brush both sides with butter and toast on baking sheet 3" from heat until golden, about 30 seconds each side.
- Heat oil in frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and stir until golden. Add ham and saute until lightly browned. Set aside.
- In large bowl whisk together eggs, milk, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Add toasted bread and toss gently. Transfer saturated bread to shallow 3 quart casserole, slightly overlapping slices. Place spinach and ham mixture between slices. Pour remaining egg mixture over all.
- Sprinkle cheese over strata, slightly lifting baguette slices with a spatula to allow cheese to fall between all slices. Preheat oven to 350°F Bake strata in middle of oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until puffed and edges of bread are golden and eggs are set.
MY PRIVATE NOTES
Add a Note
RECIPE MADE WITH LOVE BY
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
upload
review
tweak
ask
all
reviews
tweaks
q&a
sort by:
-
An excellent B&B recipe. I've included the photo - well forgot to take the picture before we had already served and munched a good chunk of it, but it was very tasty! I was concerned that it would be bland because the only spice was nutmeg and black pepper. But, trust me on this one, it's easily a crowd pleaser. Made a great brunch item. I had a honey baked ham so cut slice/chunks, my cheese on hand was muenster, I also added a few sliced mushrooms, I didn't use butter or olive oil either - just cooking spray... so a little different, a little lighter maybe, but yummy! Everyone would like this even if they don't like spinach. Mine also was much smaller. I've never made a strata before, didn't even know what it was, but my "what I had on hand" version sure was tasty and easy. Thanks, Nif, Great easy recipe, much appreciated!Reply