ham and asparagus strata with hashbrowns

Strata is Italian for layer. This recipe in my mind is an egg lasagna of sorts. It is a matter of layering vegetables, ham, egg, cheese, and on until the strata is formed. Also as with a lot of my cooking if you remove the ham that I added in it is completely vegetarian.

You need the following items:

1. 1 lb of asparagus

2. salt and pepper

3. 6 scallions

4. 1/2 a pack of baby Bella mushrooms

5. 9 large eggs

6. 2 3/4 milk

7. 1 lb of rustic bread cut into cubes

8. 5 slices of thick cut deli ham (I used Virgina baked ham, but i think next time I will use Canadian bacon)

9. 3 cups grated Cheddar cheese

10. 2 tbs of butter

First you should melt the butter then add the cut asparagus and scallions

Then as it shows in the picture on the right whisk your 9 eggs together and add in the milk. Don't forget to put some salt and pepper in the egg mixture to taste.

Then you layer the mixture in a baking pan like in the picture below. Pour about half the egg mixture in the pan. Then layer some sliced mushrooms (you do not have to cook the mushrooms ahead of time they can go in raw), then add a layer of the asparagus mixture, layer of the ham, then some cheese. and continue that process until the egg mixture and asparagus mixture are gone. Then cover with the balance of the egg mixture top with the rustic bread chunks then add the remaining cheese on top like you see below.

Put it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 30-40 minutes. Be sure to test the center with a toothpick. The bread on top with get crusty and golden brown when it is close to finishing like in the picture below. Once it is fully cooked let it sit for a few minutes before cutting into it. That will help with getting a solid piece out instead of it crumbling. It is delicious with a soft and tender inside and crusty rustic top.

I served the asparagus and ham strata with some quick and easy hash browns all you need for these are 3 cloves of garlic minced, 1 onion chopped, and about 2-3 large red potatoes. Put it all in a fry pan with 3 tbs of olive oil and cook through.

Then enjoy with a salad and you have a complete meal !!!!

Enjoy !!!!!!!!!