Ham and Cheese Strata

Ingredients

• 6 slices day-old bread
• 8 oz deli ham
• 1½ cups Gruyere cheese
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp fresh chives (optional)

Steps

1. Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish with butter. Cut the day-old bread into 1-inch cubes and cube the ham.
2. Layer half of the bread cubes, half of the ham, and half of the Gruyere cheese in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with the remaining bread, ham, and cheese.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
4. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, ham, and cheese layers in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread to ensure it's fully submerged.
5. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the bread to soak up the custard.
6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the strata from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes while the oven preheats.
7. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until the strata is puffed, golden brown, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Let the strata rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chives, if desired.