Cheese Strata
Eggs Recipes
Yield: 12 to 14 servings
This old-fashioned layered dish was once popular for Christmas breakfast. Make it the night before to feed a crowd for holiday brunch. It's something even the little ones will love.
- 1 tablespoon softened butter
- 18 slices white bread (preferably left out for several hours), crusts removed
- 2-1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups diced ham
- 2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 3-1/2 cups milk
- 6 large eggs
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
Use the softened butter to generously grease a 9x13-inch glass or stainless-steel baking dish. Fit 6 slices of bread into the dish. (Don't worry if there are spaces; as the bread soaks, it will swell to fit.) In a large bowl combine the ricotta, Parmesan, ham, and rosemary. Spread half the ricotta mixture on top of the bread layer and smooth it with a spoon. Add a second layer of bread and cover this with the remaining ricotta mixture. Add a final layer of bread. In a bowl combine the milk and eggs, whisk until smooth, and pour on top of the strata. Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
Remove the chilled strata from the refrigerator at least 1/2 hour before baking and set out at room temperature. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the wrapping from the strata and sprinkle on the grated cheddar cheese. Place the baking dish inside a larger roasting pan or dish, and carefully pour in warm water halfway up the sides of the strata pan. Bake until puffy and brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool for 20 minutes, cut into squares, and serve.
Reviews by Readers
I was having an end of summer barbeque with 25 friends and relatives and I always spring an unorthodox recipe on them for rating. I served this as an appetizer along with a fresh fruit bowl and it was devoured.The recipe was copied 6 times with most people thinking ahead to Thanksgiving or Christmas morning brunches. – Anonymous Review
Excellent choice for a large breakfast gathering. It has become the "Day After Thanksgiving" tradition at our house. – Anonymous Review
Both my sister-in-law in Georgia and myself in Denmark found this recipe in 2001 (?) and used it the same year without realizing it! We joyfully assuaged our New England homesickness with this great Christmas morning treat. This year, she sent a panic e-mail, couldn't find the recipe. I couldn't either, that issue of Yankee had disappeared....luckily Yankee has kept it in their online database, so we will make "together" again this year. Thanks Yankee, you saved a global family tradition. – Reviewed by Rose Anne Hamilton
Here it is, the day before Easter and I have been searching for the original recipe for this strata. What a relief it was to find it on your website! I have made this strata several times before with some subtle variations and it is always a crowd pleaser! – Anonymous Review
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