Make-Ahead Spinach & Cheese Strata

By dddavis59

Ingredients

• Make-Ahead Spinach & Cheese Strata (Adapted from numerous sources, including Gourmet Magazine) looks awesome! want to try for the holidays!
• Ingredients for 6 - 8 servings
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus a little more for greasing the dish)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 (10 ounce) boxes frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed out in a towel
• 1 teaspoon salt,
• A few Grinds of black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 8 cups cubed bread
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded or grated Swiss cheese
• 9 large eggs
• 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 3/4 cups milk

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from agardenforthehouse.com

Preparation

Step 1

Heat the butter and oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet set over a medium flame. Add the onion and seasonings (1/2 teaspoon salt; grinds of black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg), and saute until the onions have softened — about 5 minutes.  Add the spinach to the onion mixture, and stir for about 1 minute.

Spread 1/3 of the bread cubes into the buttered baking dish. Top with 1/3 of the spinach mixture, and 1/3 of each of the cheeses. Repeat this layering step two more times.

Using a wire whisk, beat eggs, milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons of mustard in a large bowl. Pour this custard over the casserole. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Baking – 45-55 minutes on the center rack of a preheated 350 degree oven.  Remove the plastic wrap, and bake uncovered until the strata is puffed and golden — 45-55 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, and then serve at once.