Monte Cristo Strata

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 10
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 12 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 18 -20 slices bread, crusts trimmed
• 10 ounces ham, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 10 large eggs
• 3 cups packed grated gruyere cheese
• 3 1/2 cups milk (do not use low-fat or non-fat)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Recipe

• 1 melt butter in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat.
• 2 add mushrooms and saute until golden, about 10 minutes.
• 3 season with salt and pepper.
• 4 generously butter a 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish.
• 5 line bottom with half of bread slices, cutting to fit.
• 6 top with ham, then 2 cups of cheese.
• 7 top with mushrooms.
• 8 add enough remaining bread in single layer to cover.
• 9 whisk eggs, milk, 1 tablespoon thyme, dry mustard, salt and pepper in large bowl to blend.
• 10 pour over bread.
• 11 cover and refrigerate overnight.
• 12 remove from refrigerator and let sit 30 minutes while preheating oven to 350.
• 13 uncover baking dish.
• 14 bake until puffed and golden, about 1 hour.
• 15 mix remaining cup of cheese and 1 tablespoon thyme; sprinkle on top.
• 16 bake until cheese melts, about 3 minutes.
• 17 let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
• 18 leftovers are equally as good re-warmed the next day in the microwave.