Icelandic Asparagus & Ham Bake |
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Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes |
Ready In: 45 Minutes Servings: 1 |
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This tasty & versatile dish is very popular in Iceland & uses common ingredients. It is ideal for a brunch, luncheon entree or potluck occasion & also works for a dinner meal when combined w/a salad & crusty bread. Another popular variation skips the use of bread + the reserved liquids & combines the remaining ingredients to use as a filling for tartlet shells that can be served as a starter course or brunch & luncheon entree ... hence its versatility. I hope you will give this dish a try & enjoy it as we do here in Iceland. :-) Ingredients:
4 slices sandwich bread (white or wheat, lrg size & not thin-sliced, cut or torn in roughly 3/4 in pieces) |
2 eggs |
14 ounces cream cheese (softened) |
1/2 lb ham (diced, deli-type pkg is fine & a larger or smaller amt is fine as well) |
4 tablespoons mayonnaise |
1 (8 ounce) can mushrooms (stems & pieces, chopped, drained & liquid reserved) |
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can asparagus (cut spears, drained & liquid reserved) |
1 cup cheddar cheese (finely shredded) |
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) w/oven rack placed in the center position of the oven.
2. Lightly grease a 9-in rd baking dish (or spray w/PAM type spray) & set aside.
3. Place cut or torn bread pieces in a lrg mixing bowl & add liquid reserved from draining the mushrooms & asparagus.
4. Allow bread/liquid mixture to sit for a short time while liquid is absorbed & stir as needed (May add milk if more liquid is required to completely moisten the bread pieces, but it is unlikely to be needed.).
5. Add eggs to bread mixture & mix well.
6. Add cream cheese, ham, mayo, mushrooms & asparagus to the bread mixture & mix very well to combine (This will break up the asparagus pieces & is what you want to happen).
7. Pour mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle surface evenly w/shredded cheddar cheese & use your hand to press it lightly into the surface.
8. Bake for 30-40 min or till golden brown & tests done using a sharp knife in the center. Tent w/foil as needed during baking if browning faster than expected. Serve at once or set aside at rm temp & reheat in microwave as needed.
9. NOTE: Seasonings of choice can be added to suit individual preferences (esp pepper & garlic). My experience was the combo of canned mushrooms & asparagus + the reserved liquid used + the ham meant that no added salt was needed.
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