Monte Cristo strata, a delectable and visually appealing casserole, is a delightful twist on the classic French sandwich. It combines the richness of custard, soft bread, and savory ham and cheese, creating a dish that is perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. As it bakes, the custard seeps into the bread, resulting in a tender and flavorful strata that is sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you prefer a classic Monte Cristo or are looking for a creative way to elevate your brunch game, this recipe is sure to become your go-to choice for a satisfying and memorable meal.
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MONTE CRISTO STRATA
This cheesy and indulgent strata is inspired by the flavors of a Monte Cristo sandwich: ham, tangy mustard and Gruyere cheese.
Provided by By Stephanie Wise
Categories Lunch
Time 1h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375°F. Generously grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with shortening or cooking spray.
- Place layer of bread slices in bottom of baking dish. Brush with 2 tablespoons of the mustard. Top with half of the ham slices, then sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded cheese and 1 tablespoon of the sage. Repeat layers, reserving last 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese.
- In large bowl, beat eggs with whisk, then add milk and ground pepper; beat to combine. Carefully and evenly pour egg mixture over layers in baking dish, making sure bread absorbs most of the liquid. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and 1 tablespoon fresh sage.
- Cover dish with sheet of greased foil. Let stand 30 minutes before baking.
- Bake about 35 minutes or until dish is baked through and bubbly. Remove foil, and bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese on top is lightly golden.
- Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 730, Carbohydrate 55 g, Cholesterol 240 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 50 g, SaturatedFat 17 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1940 mg, Sugar 13 g, TransFat 1/2 g
MONTE CRISTO STRATA
Going to a restaurant for Sunday brunch can be wonderful, but, maybe you prefer the comfort and economy of a home-cooked meal, especially when you are entertaining guests. A strata, including this one, is a great way to go, since you make it the night before, and when you are ready the next day, just pop it in the oven.
Provided by Alan in SW Florida
Categories Savory Pies
Time 1h10m
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Spray a 9x13x2-inch baking pan with the non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, hot sauce, and dry mustard until well blended.
- Arrange as much of the bread pieces as you can in a single layer in the prepared pan. Top, in layers, with the turkey, ham, and 1/2 of the cheese. Top with the remaining bread pieces, and pour on the egg mixture, tilting the pan to make sure all the bread is coated. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- The next day, when you are ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is preheating, take the strata out of the refrigerator, remove the plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature until the oven is ready. Bake until puffed and golden, about 45 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing into squares.
OCEAN SPRAY CRANBERRIED MONTE CRISTO STRATA
This is a great do ahead recipe and was made by Janice Elder of Charlotte, NC., in the 2009 Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest in which she was a finalist..Congratulations Janice and thanks for the recipe..we love it.
Provided by Pat Duran
Categories Fruit Breakfast
Time 1h25m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- 1. Spray 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Using serrated knife, cut baguette into 1/2 inch slices. Toast both sides until crisp and golden brown around edges.
- 2. Mix 1/2 cup cranberry sauce and the mustard in small bowl. Spread over 1 side toasted baguette slices. Arrange half of slices, cranberry side up, in bottom of dish, overlapping if necessary. Sprinkle evenly with turkey, ham, and cheese. Top with remaining toast, cranberry, side down.
- 3. Combine eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and pepper sauce in large bowl; whisk until well blended and slightly frothy. Pour mixture carefully into baking dish, making sure bread is soaked with liquid. Cover; refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- 4. Preheat oven to 350º. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until puffed and top is slightly golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- 5. Meanwhile, blend remaining cranberry sauce and the vinegar in small bowl. Just before serving, sift powdered sugar over strata, Top each serving with dollop of cranberry mixture.
MONTE CRISTO STRATA
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375°F. Generously grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with shortening or cooking spray. Place layer of bread slices in bottom of baking dish. Brush with 2 tablespoons of the mustard. Top with half of the ham slices, then sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded cheese and 1 tablespoon of the sage. Repeat layers, reserving last 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese. In large bowl, beat eggs with whisk, then add milk and ground pepper; beat to combine. Carefully and evenly pour egg mixture over layers in baking dish, making sure bread absorbs most of the liquid. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and 1 tablespoon fresh sage. Cover dish with sheet of greased foil. Let stand 30 minutes before baking. Bake about 35 minutes or until dish is baked through and bubbly. Remove foil, and bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese on top is lightly golden. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
MONTE CRISTO STRATA
I found this recipe online and it sounds grab.It can be made ahead and baked in the morning.Even though I haven't made it,I changed the bread,the original recipe called for a bakery loaf of white bread,but I think sourdough would be good.
Provided by Leanne D.
Categories Other Breakfast
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. Preheat the oven to 375° and butter a 9-by-13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Arrange one-third of the bread in the bottom of the dish and spread with half of the mustard. Top with half of the ham, 1 tablespoon of the tarragon and one-third of the Gruyère cheese. Repeat the layering, leaving off the last layer of cheese.
- 2. In a medium bowl, whisk the milk with the eggs and season generously with black pepper. Pour the custard evenly over the dish, pressing the bread to absorb the liquid. Pat the remaining cheese on top and cover with a sheet of buttered parchment paper.
- 3. Bake the strata in the center of the oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until bubbling and browned around the edges. Remove the parchment and turn on the broiler. Broil for about 3 minutes, just until the top is golden and bubbling. Let rest for 10 minutes, then cut the strata into squares and serve
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of havarti, swiss, and gruyere cheeses.
- To make sure the strata is cooked evenly, cover it with foil for the first 30 minutes of baking.
- If you are using a frozen French bread loaf, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before assembling the strata.
- If you don't have a French bread loaf, you can use a baguette or other type of crusty bread.
- For a vegetarian version of the strata, omit the ham and bacon and add additional vegetables, such as diced bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms.
- Serve the strata with a side of fresh fruit or a green salad.
Conclusion:
The Monte Cristo strata is a delicious and easy-to-make breakfast or brunch casserole. It is perfect for a crowd and can be made ahead of time. The strata is also a great way to use up leftover ham and Swiss cheese. With its combination of savory and sweet flavors, the Monte Cristo strata is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.
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