Mushroom, Leek and Gruyere Strata

Serves 6

This can take so many different combinations! I left it vegetarian, but some browned breakfast sausage or crispy bacon can be stirred in as well with no other changes should you like. 

Everything can be assembled the night before and left covered in the fridge overnight. Pull it out first thing in the morning while the oven is preheating and you can enjoy your family instead of working in the kitchen Christmas morning.

Gluten Free? We have made this successfully with gluten-free sandwich bread! 

Ingredients

8 oz. fresh bread, cubed (country loaf, French, ciabatta)

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. butter
8 oz. mixed mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
2 small/1 large leek, white and light green parts, cleaned and sliced
4 oz. baby spinach

8 eggs
1 ½ cup whole milk
½ cup cream
½ tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. Fresh ground pepper
½ tsp. Dried oregano
1 Tbsp. hot sauce
1 heaping cup/6 oz. grated Emmi Gruyere, shredded

Fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375’. Spread the cubed bread on a baking dish and toast for 10 minutes until golden on the edges and dried out. 

Heat the oil and butter in a large, oven-proof skillet or cast iron pan (about 12”). Add the mushrooms and leeks, a big pinch of salt and pepper and sauté to soften. About 8 minutes. Stir in the baby spinach, turn off the heat, and let it just wilt and cool down. Stir in the toasted bread.

While the vegetables cool down, whisk up your egg mixture. In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, milk, cream, salt, pepper, dried oregano, hot sauce and whisk really well to combine. We want to get some air in there. Stir in the gruyere. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables, pressing the bread pieces down a bit so they get the custard on all parts. Leave it to soak at room temperature for an hour, or covered, overnight in the refrigerator. 

Turn the oven down to 350’. Bake on the middle rack for 30 minutes, or until you shake the pan and the center is no longer liquid. A little jiggle is ok, it will set as it cools down. 

Garnish the top with fresh parsley and serve warm.