Fontina, Speck, and Onion Strata

(40)
martha-bakes-fontina-speck-onion-strata-123-d110936-0414.jpg
Photo: Bryan Gardner
Servings:
8

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 large sweet onion, preferably Vidalia (about 1 ½ pounds), thinly sliced

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 10 large eggs, lightly beaten

  • 3 cups whole milk

  • 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

  • 10 cups day-old rustic bread (from 13 ounces), sliced ¾-inch thick

  • 4 ounces sliced speck or ham, coarsely chopped (1 ¼ cups)

  • 2 cups shredded fontina (8 ounces)

  • Vegetable oil cooking spray

Directions

  1. Heat butter in a large high-sided skillet over high heat. Add onion, garlic, thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook until lightly caramelized, 10 to 12 minutes (adjust heat if browning too quickly). Transfer onion mixture to a plate, and let cool.

  2. Meanwhile, whisk together eggs, milk, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Shingle bread slices in a 10-by-14-inch oval baking dish layering with cooked onion mixture, speck, and fontina cheese. Pour over egg mixture, pressing bread gently into liquid. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 2 hours.

  3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat a large piece of parchment with cooking spray. Cover strata with parchment, then with foil. Bake for 1 hour. Uncover and raise oven temperature to 375 degrees. Bake until top is golden brown and crusty, 20 minutes more. Let rest for 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Related Articles