Giada's Spinach And Pancetta Strata Yummy!

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 10 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 (10 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
• 4 -6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 8 cups cubed italian bread, from a 1-pound loaf
• 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
• 3 cups whole milk
• 10 large eggs

Recipe

• 1 heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. add the pancetta and sauté until crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a bowl.
• 2 add the onion to the pan drippings in the same skillet and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes. add the spinach and garlic. sauté over medium-low heat until the garlic is tender, about 2 minutes.
• 3 stir in 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, nutmeg, and the cooked pancetta.
• 4 place half of the bread cubes in a buttered 3-quart baking dish. sprinkle half of the cheese over the bread, then top with half of the spinach mixture. repeat layering.
• 5 whisk the milk, eggs, remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a large bowl and pour evenly over the strata.
• 6 chill the strata, covered with plastic wrap, at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
• 7 preheat the oven to 350 degrees f.
• 8 bake strata uncovered until puffed, golden brown, and cooked through, 40 minutes. let stand 5 minutes before serving.