She Strengthens

Elevate Your Brunch Game with This Hearty Ham and Mushroom Strata

Are you tired of serving the same old breakfast dishes at your gatherings? Look no further! This indulgent ham and mushroom strata is sure to impress your guests and satisfy their appetites.

A Flavorful Twist on a Classic

This recipe combines the richness of Gruyère cheese, the savory flavor of ham, and the earthiness of mushrooms, all wrapped up in a crispy, golden-brown package. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to prepare.

Prep Ahead and Relax

The night before your gathering, cook the mushrooms with onions and thyme, then mix them with eggs, milk, and Dijon mustard. Add in some cubed bread, diced ham, and shredded cheese, and you’re ready to go. Pour the mixture into a baking dish, cover it, and refrigerate overnight.

A Stress-Free Morning

In the morning, simply bake the strata in a preheated oven for about an hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving, and you’ll be rewarded with a hearty, satisfying dish that’s perfect for a crowd.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup medium-dice yellow onion
• 1 pound medium cremini mushrooms, stems trimmed and quartered
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 12 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
• 12 ounces cooked ham, casing trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 8 ounces French or Italian bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 6 cups)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese (about 3 1/2 ounces)

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Mushrooms: Melt the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the mushrooms and thyme and cook, stirring rarely, until the mushrooms are lightly browned in spots and all of the moisture has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
2. Prepare the Egg Mixture: Place the eggs in a large bowl and whisk until they’re broken up. Add the milk, mustard, and measured salt and pepper and whisk to combine.
3. Assemble the Strata: Add the ham, bread, cheese, and sautéed mushroom mixture to the egg mixture and stir to combine. Pour into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish and arrange into an even layer.
4. Chill Overnight: Cover the dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
5. Bake and Serve: Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Remove the strata from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature. Remove the plastic wrap or aluminum foil and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove the dish to a wire rack and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Yield: 6-8 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes, plus about 8 hours soaking time