In a strata, layers of savory ingredients are baked with cubes of bread soaked in beaten egg. Stratas are great brunch choices because they can be made in advance and are very forgiving: As long as you have eggs and bread, you can toss in whatever else you like. This recipe serves 6-8.
Instructions
1. Heat a saute pan over medium heat.
2. Add the butter; when it is half melted, add the bell peppers and onion and cook, stirring constantly, until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Season generously with pepper during cooking but lightly with salt because the ham is salty enough.
3. Add the ham and the herbs and stir together. Cook another minute and set aside.
4. Meanwhile, cut the bread in 1-inch cubes and layer the bottom of a buttered or nonstick 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
5. Whisk together the eggs, cream, and a pinch or so of salt and pepper in a bowl until well blended.
6. Drizzle about a third of it over the first layer of bread.
7. Arrange the cooked vegetables and ham over the bread, top with half the cheese, then arrange a second layer of bread on top. Drizzle the remaining egg mixture over the top, then cover and refrigerate two hours or overnight.
8. When ready to cook, heat the oven to 350? and cook the strata uncovered or loosely covered with foil for one hour. It will rise slightly and turn golden on top.
9. At the end of cooking time, arrange the remaining cheese on top, heat the broiler, and melt the cheese under the broiler until it bubbles and turns brown in spots.
Tags: layer bread