Rachael's Daytime Talk Show
Ribollita Strata -- 04/26/11

Ribollita Strata

Ingredients

  • 5 to 6 cups (enough to fill a medium casserole dish) peasant-style bread, torn or cubed
  • 1/4 cup EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus some for drizzling
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • 2 to 3 small ribs celery with leafy tops, chopped
  • 1 small bunch Tuscan, dinosaur or curly kale, stemmed and thinly sliced or 1 box frozen chopped spinach, defrosted, wrung dry and separated
  • A few grates of nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or marjoram, 1/3 palmful
  • A few sprigs fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 stem rosemary, finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
  • 9 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk

Yields: Serves 6

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step

Arrange bread on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Turn off oven.

Step

Chop vegetables and heat a large skillet with EVOO, 4 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onions, carrots and celery, and sweat veggies a few minutes. Wilt in the kale or add the spinach. Season with nutmeg, oregano or marjoram, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Cook 8-10 minutes to tender. Stir in tomato paste, cook 1 minute then add stock and simmer 5 minutes over medium-low heat.

Step

Pour mixture over bread, add a few handfuls of cheese, about 3/4 cup. Toss to combine, transfer to a baking dish and cool.

Step

Beat eggs with milk, salt and pepper. Pour eggs over cooled bread casserole, cover and chill overnight or a minimum of a couple of hours.

Step

Heat oven to 400°F. Top the casserole with a drizzle of EVOO and remaining cheese. Bake until puffed and golden, 45 minutes.