12.31.2010

SPINACH STRATA WITH BACON AND CHEESE



My first time making and tasting spinach strata. One day, I saw a cooking show at createtv channel, and they showed this recipe. Actually, they showed it for christmas dinner, and I thought to make it for our Christmas dinner, but since I cooked loads of foods already, so I cancelled it.

Now, few days after Christmas and our Christmas leftover are all gone. I was thinking it is the time to make spinach strata. Since I know my hubby doesn't really like spinach, so I thought this dish is the perfect dish to force him eating the spinach ;).

So, here I am experimanting spinach strata recipe. I added chopped bacon to add some extra bacon-kick on the strata. The result......It is so good! Good taste and good smell which were exposed our appetite :).

My hubby liked it so much. The first time he heard there is spinach in this dish, he showed me 'eww-ie' face, but after he tasted it, he said, "This is really good hun. I like it". :)

So, let's make it for our loved ones who dislike spinach, I guarantee they will love spinach ;).

Spinach Strata with Bacon and Cheese

Ingredients:
2 packages fresh baby spinach
1 cup bacon, cut into 1-in width
1 1/2 cups (or 1 large) finely chopped onion
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
8 cups cubed (1 inch) French or Italian whole wheat bread
6 oz coarsely grated Gruyère (2 cups)
2 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1 cup)
2 3/4 cups milk
9 large eggs
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Preparation:
Boil spinach in boiling water until the spinach changes into dark green color. Drain it from the water. Rinse it with cold water. Squeeze handfuls of spinach to remove as much liquid as possible, then finely chop.

Cook bacon in olive oil in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until almost brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in onion, stirring until soft. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and nutmeg and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in spinach, then remove from heat.

Spread one third of bread cubes in a buttered 3-quart gratin dish or other shallow ceramic baking dish and top evenly with one third of spinach mixture. Sprinkle with one third of each cheese. Repeat layering twice (ending with cheeses).

Whisk together milk, eggs, mustard, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl and pour evenly over strata. Chill strata, covered with plastic wrap, at least 8 hours (for bread to absorb custard).

Preheat oven to 350°F. Let strata stand at room temperature 30 minutes.

Bake strata, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed, golden brown, and cooked through, 45 to 55 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

4 comments:

  1. Waduh, sekali update, langsung berederet-deret, sampe bingung mau komen yg mana, haha ...;). Happy New Year lagi! Tapi....,huwaaa, sebentar lagi udah bakal musti masuk kerja lagi...:(. Hik hik, masih pengen libur nih, belum puas, hahaha!!

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  2. @CG: hahahahah....iya sin, kemaren2 hibernasi gue, jadi skarang langsung bar2....huehehehe :)). Happy New Year too yah say :). Hahahh iya yah, emang elo dapet libur akhir taon brapa lama sin? Gue dulu pas kerja liburnya cuma pas tanggalan merah doang :(. Susah deh kalo kerja di asia mah jadi pekerja rodi kite .... huehehehe

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  3. Hehe, sebenernya natal libur 2.5 minggu sih, cuma begitulah manusia, gak pernah puas, pengennya liburan setaon, br masuk kerja lagi, huahahha, ngelunjak bgt ya ;)!!

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  4. @CG: huaaaa lama yah liburannya...mantep bener sin :). Itu emang liburan dari kantor ato skalian ambil cuti sin? asli loh mantep lama gitu ... hueheheh :).
    Hahahahaah....iyaaaa emang kalo libur kelamaan efeknya jadi malesssssss banget pas mo masuk kerja lagi... soale gue dulu gitu sin...hihihih :)

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