Ham and Cheese Strata

Try this delicious recipe for Ham and Cheese Strata -- makes a wonderful hot dish which serves six for only $1.22 per serving!

Ingredients:
6 cups 1-inch cubes plain or whole-wheat Italian bread (about 8 oz)
1 box (10 oz) frozen broccoli florets, thawed and coarsely chopped
6 oz sliced ham, coarsely chopped
½ cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers
4 scallions, sliced
1 cup (4 oz) sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
6 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
2 Tbsp yellow mustard
¼ tsp pepper

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 375ºF. Coat a shallow 2-quart baking dish with nonstick spray. Spread half the bread cubes over bottom. Cover with half the broccoli, ham, peppers, scallions and cheese. Repeat layer.
2. Whisk eggs, milk, mustard and pepper in large bowl to blend; pour evenly over strata.
3. Bake, uncovered, 50 to 60 minutes until puffed and golden and a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Or cover strata with foil and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight, then bake as above.

(Makes 6 servings.)

Nutrients per serving: Calories 352, Protein 24g, Carbohydrates 29g, Dietary Fiber 3g, Fat 16g (Saturated Fat 7g), Cholesterol 253mg, Sodium 936mg.

Notes from Betty: Strata is a family of layered casserole dishes in American cuisine. The most common modern variant is a brunch dish, similar to a quiche or frittata, made from a mixture which mainly consists of bread, eggs and cheese.. It may also include meat or vegetables. The usual preparation requires the bread to be layered with the filling in order to produce layers (strata). Sometimes a beaten egg mixture is poured over the ingredients and the dish requires a rest of anywhere between one hour and overnight before it is baked.