🍽️ Artichoke and Ham Strata 🍖
Artichoke and Ham Strata is a delicious and savory dish typically served for breakfast or brunch. This casserole-like dish is made by layering bread, ham, artichoke hearts, cheese, and a flavorful egg mixture, then allowing it to sit and soak before baking. It’s a fantastic combination of flavors and textures, making it a popular choice for a hearty morning meal.
📜 History:
The exact origin of Artichoke and Ham Strata is unclear, but it’s a dish that has evolved over time from various bread pudding and casserole recipes. Strata, which means “layers” in Italian, refers to the layers of ingredients in this dish. It has become a versatile recipe with many variations, allowing for personalization based on regional and individual preferences.
🥘 Components:
Here are the key components you’ll need for Artichoke and Ham Strata:
- Bread: Typically, day-old bread or baguette slices are used. The bread acts as the base and soaks up the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Ham: Diced or sliced ham adds a salty and savory element to the strata.
- Artichoke Hearts: Canned or jarred artichoke hearts, usually quartered or chopped.
- Cheese: Shredded cheese (common choices are Swiss, cheddar, or Gruyère) provides creaminess and flavor.
- Eggs: Whisked eggs serve as the binding agent that holds the strata together.
- Milk: Typically, whole milk or half-and-half is used to create a rich and creamy custard.
- Herbs and Seasonings: You can use various herbs and spices such as thyme, salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard for extra flavor.
👩🍳 Preparation Steps:
- Prepare the Bread: Slice or cube the bread and arrange it in a greased baking dish.
- Layer the Ham and Artichokes: Scatter the ham and artichoke hearts over the bread.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the ham and artichokes.
- Whisk Eggs and Milk: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and your chosen herbs and seasonings.
- Pour the Mixture: Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over the other ingredients in the baking dish.
- Soak: Cover the dish and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight, allowing the bread to absorb the liquid and flavors.
- Baking: When you’re ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the strata for about 45-55 minutes or until it’s golden and set.
- Serve: Let it cool slightly, slice into portions, and serve warm.
⏰ Cooking Time:
The preparation time for Artichoke and Ham Strata can vary, but it generally takes about 15-20 minutes to assemble the dish. The soaking time in the refrigerator can be several hours or overnight. The baking time is approximately 45-55 minutes. So, in total, you should plan for at least 1.5-2 hours from start to finish.
🍽️ Enjoy your Artichoke and Ham Strata! It’s a hearty, flavorful breakfast or brunch option that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds. 🍳🥖🧀🍖🌿
Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Artichoke and Ham Strata:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate Values for a Standard Serving):
- Calories: Around 300-400 calories per serving.
- Protein: Provides a good source of protein, typically 15-20 grams per serving.
- Carbohydrates: Contains around 20-30 grams of carbohydrates.
- Dietary Fiber: Provides 2-4 grams of dietary fiber.
- Fat: Contains 15-20 grams of fat, with some saturated fat from the cheese and ham.
- Cholesterol: Depending on the amount of cheese and ham used, it can have up to 150-200 mg of cholesterol.
- Sodium: Can be moderately high in sodium, with 800-1000 mg or more per serving due to ham and cheese.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Provides a variety of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and iron from the dairy and meats.
Health Information:
- Protein: The ham and eggs in this dish are excellent sources of protein, which is essential for muscle and tissue repair.
- Fiber: While not particularly high in fiber, the dish still provides some, which aids digestion.
- Calories: The calorie content can vary based on serving size and ingredient choices. It’s a hearty dish, so watch portion sizes if you’re concerned about calorie intake.
- Saturated Fat and Cholesterol: Cheese and ham contribute to the saturated fat and cholesterol content. It’s advisable to enjoy this dish in moderation, especially if you’re watching your saturated fat and cholesterol intake.
- Sodium: Be cautious about the sodium content, especially if you have high blood pressure or are on a low-sodium diet. You can reduce the saltiness by using low-sodium ham and cheese.
- Calcium and Vitamins: The dairy products in this dish provide calcium and essential vitamins like vitamin D and vitamin A, which are crucial for bone health and immunity.
Artichoke and Ham Strata is a delicious and satisfying dish, but like many savory breakfast and brunch options, it’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat due to its relatively high fat, sodium, and calorie content. You can make it healthier by using leaner meats and reducing the cheese content, which would also lower its saturated fat and calorie content.
