Ham Asparagus And Cheese Strata

• 8 oz. asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 5 cups French bread cubes
• 2 cups shredded Gruyere or white Cheddar cheese, (8 oz.)
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped chives or green onions
• 8 oz. cooked ham, diced
• 10 eggs, 4 to start then 6 on top
• 1-1/2 cups milk

1. 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boiling. Add asparagus; cook 5 minutes or until bright green.
2. 2. In a greased 3-quart baking dish spread half the bread cubes. Top with cheese, onion, chives and half the ham and asparagus. Top with remaining bread.
3. 3. In a bowl whisk together four of the eggs and the milk. Evenly pour over layers in dish. Press down bread pieces into the egg milk mixture with the back of a spoon. Top with remaining ham and asparagus. Cover; refrigerate until ready to bake.
4. 4. Bake, uncovered, in a 325 degrees F oven 30 minutes. With the back of a wooden spoon, press 6 indentations in top of strata. Pour a whole egg into each indentation. Bake 20 to 25 minutes more or until an instant-read thermometer inserted In center of strata registers 170 degrees F and eggs are set. Let stand 15 minutes.
5. 5. Cut into squares to serve. If desired, drizzle lightly with olive oil and spnnkle with salt and cracked black pepper.

bread, gruyere, onion, chives, ham, eggs, milk

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/ham-asparagus-and-cheese-strata-50135361 (may not work)