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GRUYERE & PROSCIUTTO STRATA

Prosciutto, sweet onions and Gruyere combine for a perfect make-ahead brunch dish, and there are never any leftovers.

—PATTI LAVELL ISLAMORADA, FL



PREP: 15 MIN. + CHILLING • BAKE: 35 MIN. • MAKES: 9 SERVINGS


2 teaspoons canola oil

4 ounces thin slices prosciutto, chopped

2 large sweet onions, chopped (4 cups)

1 carton (8 ounces) egg substitute

1/2 cups 2% milk

1/4 teaspoon ground mustard

1/8 teaspoon pepper

8 cups cubed French bread

1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese, divided

1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add prosciutto; cook and stir until crisp. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon. Add onions to the same pan; cook and stir until tender.

2. In a bowl, whisk egg substitute, milk, mustard and pepper. Stir in bread and onions. Reserve 2 tablespoons cooked prosciutto for topping; stir remaining prosciutto into bread mixture.

Transfer half of the mixture to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with half of the cheese. Top with remaining bread mixture. Separately cover and refrigerate strata, reserved prosciutto and remaining cheese overnight.

3. Preheat oven to 350°. Remove strata from refrigerator while oven preheats. Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes. Top with remaining cheese, then with reserved prosciutto. Bake 15-20 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Let stand 5-10 minutes.