Monte Cristo strata
Monte Cristo strata recipe in the casserole category
Recipe ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons, 1/4 stick, butter
- 12 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 18 to 20 slices quality white sandwich bread, crusts trimmed
- 10 ounces ham, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- 10 large eggs
- 3 cups packed grated Gruyere cheese, 12 ounce
- 3 1/2 cups milk, do not use low fat or non fat
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Recipe method:
- Melt butter in heavy medium skillet over medium high heat.
- Add mushrooms and sauté until golden, about 10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Generously butter a 13 x 9 x 2 inch glass baking dish.
- Line bottom with half of bread slices, cutting to fit.
- Top with ham, then 2 cups of cheese.
- Top with mushrooms.
- Add enough remaining bread in single layer to cover.
- Whisk eggs, milk, 1 tablespoon thyme, dry mustard, salt and pepper in large bowl to blend. Pour over bread.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove from refrigerator and let sit 30 minutes while preheating oven to 350 degrees F.
- Uncover baking dish.
- Bake until puffed and golden, about one hour.
- Mix remaining cup of cheese and 1 tablespoon thyme. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake until cheese melts, about 3 minutes.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Tags: Monte, Cristo, strata, recipe, casserole, recipes, cooking