Brie and crab strata

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2tablespoonsUnsalted butter
½cupUnsalted butter
8slicesDay-old bread, cubed
¼poundsFontina cheese, grated
¼poundsCrabmeat, well picked,flaked
6ouncesBrie, very cold
¼poundsCream cheese, softened
3largesEggs
cupMilk
teaspoonFreshly grd. white pepper
¼teaspoonMace
¼teaspoonCayenne pepper-or to taste

Directions

Butter a 2-qt baking dish with the 2 Tb. butter. Put half the bread cubes into the baking dish. Add the Fontina cheese in one layer, then the crab, and top with remaining bread cubes.

Trim the rind off the Brie. Cut the Brie into small cubes and dot the entire top of the strata with the cheese cubes. Note: The colder the Brie, the easier it will be to cut.

Prepare a custard by beating the cream cheese with the eggs in a food processor or electric mixer until light and fluffy. Melt the remaining butter. Beat in the milk, seasonings, and melted butter. Pour over the strata. Press the strata down with the back of a spoon so all the bread is moistened with the custard. Refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake strata for 1 hour, or until puffy and golden brown. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Serve hot or warm.

From the recipe files of suzy@...

Posted to MM-Recipes Digest by SUZY <suzy@...> on May 12, 1998