Ingredients:
- Softened butter
- One 1 1/4 lb loaf bakery white bread – crusts removed and sliced (about 18 slices)
- 1/4 c grainy mustard
- 1 lb thinly sliced ham
- 2 TBSP chopped tarragon, plus more for garnish
- 3/4 lb Gruyere cheese, coarsely shredded (3 c)
- 3 c milk
- 4 large eggs
- black pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 F and butter a 9×13 baking dish.
- Arrange 1/3 of the bread in the bottom of the dish and spread with half of the mustard.
- Top with half of the ham, 1 TBSP of tarragon, and 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat the layering, leaving off the last layer of cheese.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the milk with the eggs and season generously with black pepper. Pour evenly over the dish, pressing the bread to absorb the liquid.
- Pat the remaining cheese on top and cover with a sheet of buttered parchment paper.
- Bake the strata in the center of the oven for 30-35 min, until bubbling and browned around the edges.
- Remove the parchment and turn on the broiler. Broil for about 3 min, just until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Let rest 10 min, then cut the strata into squares and serve.