Whether you’re hosting a brunch with friends or just want to whip up something special for family breakfast this weekend, my Ham and Cheese Strata is just the dish you need in your repertoire.
All About the Strata
A strata isan American breakfast casserole consisting of bread and an egg and milk mixture that bakes to a quiche-like consistency. The star ingredient in my strata is certainly the ham. I’m using high quality Bayonne Ham which is a cured French-style product, similar to prosciutto.
If you’re a fan of prosciutto, you’ll love Bayonne Ham. They can be used in all of the same applications, including straight up on some toasty ciabatta.
The quality of the cheese is also crucial in this recipe. I used an aged, white cheddar, but aged provolone would also pair well with the ham.
Sautéed leeks add sweetness and texture, and chives are the perfect green garnish to compliment that onion flavor.
Plan ahead.
If you’re planning to serve this Ham and Cheese Strata at your next brunch get together, keep in mind that most of the ingredients can be prepared ahead of time.
Check out my tips below:
- Dehydrate bread. At least 1 to 2 days before you plan to bake the strata, you can remove the crust from your sourdough loaf and slice it into cubes. Simply spread out, uncovered on a sheet tray and let it do its thing. This can even be done weeks ahead, but keep in mind you need 13oz of fresh bread, which will weigh less after it’s dehydrated. Just keep to the 7 cup total to make sure your proportions are on point.
- Sauté leeks. You can cook the leeks 1 to 2 days ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Sit them out at room temperature for about an hour or so before you assemble the strata, and you’re in business.
- Chop ham. Feel free to chop the ham the night before. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying and oxidation.
- Grate cheese. You can also grate the cheese the night before. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap.
- Chop chives. If you slice the chives the night before, wrap in a slightly damp paper towel and then store in a ziplock bag. They’ll stay fresh and crisp until you’re ready to garnish your dish.
GIVEAWAY
Make sure to enter the giveaway by clicking the link below for your chance to win your very own package of delicious, Bayonne Ham!
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Ham and Cheese Strata
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Whether you’re hosting a brunch with friends or just want to whip up something special for family breakfast this weekend, my Ham and Cheese Strata is just the dish you need in your repertoire.
Ingredients
- 13oz sourdough bread, crust removed, cut into 1 ½ inch cubes (~7 cups)
- 1 medium leek, cut into thin half moons
- 2 tbsp butter
- 8oz Bayonne ham, cut into ½ to ¾ inch squares
- 8oz sharp, aged white cheddar or provolone cheese, grated
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 8 large eggs
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp kosher salt (½ to ¾ teaspoon finer table salt), plus more as needed
- ½ tsp freshly ground cracked pepper
- Chives, thinly sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Warm oven: Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Dehydrate bread: *This step can be done 1-2 nights before. If desired, cut bread into cubes at least 1 to 2 days before baking strata. Spread out on a sheet tray, uncovered, and allow to dry out. Alternatively, place bread cubes on sheet tray the day of baking and dry out in preheated oven for approximately 10-12 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Sauté leeks: Warm a 10-inch cast iron pan or nonstick pan over medium heat. Melt butter. Add leeks. Season with salt. Allow to cook without developing color, adjusting heat as needed, for 5-8 minutes or until softened and translucent. Remove from pan.
- Whisk wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, mustard, salt and pepper.
- Assemble strata: Place half the bread on the bottom of the pan used to cook the leeks. Layer on half of the leeks, followed by half of the ham and cheese. Repeat layers with remaining bread, leeks and ham. Pour over egg mixture. Push down bread to completely saturate with egg mixture. Top with cheese.
- Bake & serve: Bake in preheated oven, uncovered, for 60-80 minutes or until knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly, garnish with chives, slice and serve.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ⅛ of strata
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 730mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
*NOTE: This post is sponsored by Bayonne Ham, but all opinions mentioned are entirely my own.
Love this!
Delicious.