Croque Madame Strata

Servings8

Time to Cook60 minutes

Time to Prepare10 minutes

Recipe developed for BC Egg by Eggs.ca

This cozy dish is easy to prep in advance and makes a great breakfast or brunch centerpiece.

Ingredients

1 large onion, finely sliced
1 tbsp ( 15 mL ) extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp ( 15 mL ) butter
12 eggs
2 tbsp ( 30 mL ) Dijon mustard
¼ tsp ( 1.25 mL ) grated nutmeg
2 cups ( 500 mL ) whole milk
1 cup ( 250 mL ) coffee cream
8 ounces cooked ham, diced
1 1/2 cups ( 375 mL ) Oka cheese, grated
1 1/2 cups ( 375 mL ) white cheddar cheese, grated
¼ cup ( 60 mL ) fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp ( 5 mL ) salt
½ tsp ( 2.5 mL ) black pepper
1 French style baguette or loaf (approx. 14 ounces)

Instructions

In a non-stick pan, fry the sliced onions in the olive oil and butter over medium heat until lightly caramelized, stirring frequently (approximately 8 to 10 minutes). Set aside to cool.
Combine the eggs, Dijon mustard and nutmeg, in a large mixing bowl and beat until the mustard is mixed in thoroughly. In the same bowl, add the milk and cream and beat well to form the base of the custard. To that mixture, fold in the cooked ham, cheeses (reserving ¼ cup of each for the topping), parsley, salt, and black pepper.
In a second large bowl, tear the bread into small chunks about 1 to 1 ½ inches (2.54 cm – 3.81 cm) in size.
Pour the custard over the top of the bread and mix well. Allow it to soak for an hour at least or overnight if you can.
Prepare a 9 x 13 inch (22.86 x 33 cm) casserole dish by coating it with a bit of butter or oil. Pour the bread and egg mixture into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle the caramelized onions and the remaining cheese on top.
Bake in a 350° F (180° C) oven for 45 to 55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center has risen slightly. You can test the center by inserting a knife and checking that it comes out clean. (See Note)
Rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes

If prepping overnight: Start at step 5 with your refrigerated bread and custard mix. Just add the mix to your prepared casserole dish, pop it in the oven, and bake it as directed.

The casserole can also be prepared and baked a day or two in advance and then warmed in a low 300° F (160° C) oven for an hour before serving.