Strata with Easter Ham

This recipe and photos were provided by Sally Roeckell of Table and Dish and were originally published at 365Barrington.com.

Holiday cooking does not have to be complicated. Any weekend breakfast for a big family can be easy with this recipe. A Strata is an easy way to feed a crowd. This simple Strata with Easter ham can be made on Easter morning, taken as a side dish for Easter dinner or whipped up the next morning with leftover ham. This dish has a warm custardy texture with ham, spinach and creamy cheesiness in every bite. You can change up the seasonings to suit your taste but, made as directed, there is a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

My kids know how important family time around the dinner table is to me and my husband. It’s a time to gather, connect and share. It makes me sad when meals are rushed. Today there is so much competing for the dinner time slot. Work, sports, homework, school activities. Sometimes we need to adjust our lives to be sure we can gather for a family meal. Breakfast works! This recipe is delicious enough for a holiday but also perfect for any family breakfast. It can be made the night before and simply baked and served for an easy morning family meal.

There are plenty of bread-based casserole recipes out there, from brunch stratas to deliciously sweet bread puddings. How do they differ? The terms are often used interchangeably and, judging from appearances, you may think they are just the same.

• A Strata is a kind of bread-based casserole that is made with eggs and milk or cream. Stratas usually have more eggs than cream, giving them a more egg-based consistency and flavor. Strata are often favored as part of a brunch spread. They are usually savory, but can also be sweet.
• Bread Pudding is also made with eggs and milk or cream. Bread pudding usually has a more equal ratio of eggs and milk. This makes the interior custardy and soft with a milkier flavor. Bread puddings follow the opposite rule of strata: they are usually sweet, but can sometimes be savory.
• A Frittata is an Italian version of an omelet. Several portions are usually cooked at once, in only marginally more time than it takes to cook an omelet. There are several techniques, but I favor a quick one that starts on the stove and finishes in a few minutes under the broiler. Frittatas will often include potatoes but seldom incorporate bread in the recipe.

Strata with Easter Ham

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups sweet brioche or challah bread, torn into cubes
• 2.5 cups French bread, cut into cubes (note: I use one small loaf of each)
• 1.5 lbs. ham, chopped
• 2 cup milk
• 8 eggs
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. nutmeg
• 5 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed
• 2 cups spinach, roughly chopped
• 8 oz. Monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 8 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded

Method

1. In a 9×10 high walled baking dish buttered or sprayed with non-stick spray, add the bread.
2. Add half of the chopped ham and chopped spinach into the bread mix.
3. Whisk the milk and eggs together in a larger bowl.
4. Add salt and pepper, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and thyme to the egg mixture.
5. Pour over the bread mixture.
6. Add the remaining ham.
7. Sprinkle with the Monterey Jack and cover with the Gruyère cheese.
8. Cover and place in the fridge overnight. (Or at least 2 hours)
9. Preheat oven to 350°F.
10. Cover the strata with foil or a tight-fitting lid and bake for 20 minutes.
11. Remove foil and bake an additional 25-30 minutes until the eggs are set. If it starts to get too dark before it is set, cover loosely with foil again until cooked through.
12. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving warm.
13. Serve with a side salad or fresh fruit. Top with a spoon of sour cream or Labneh and chopped chives, if desired.

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