Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Makes 8 servings.

• 1 loaf rustic bread, such as Ciabatta, slicked and torn into 1-inch pieces
• 8-10 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus extra for garnish
• 6-8 ounces goat or feta cheese, to taste
• 12 large eggs
• 3 ½ cups half & half (or milk)
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• creme fraiche
• paprika, for garnish

Preheat oven to 350º. Butter eight 4-ounce ramekins. Put bread in large bowl. Chop rosemary leaves, and sprinkle over bread. Crumble in goat or feta cheese, and mix gently with a slotted spoon.

In a bowl, whisk together eggs, half & half, cayenne, and dried thyme. Pour egg mixture over bread, and mix gently with a large slotted spoon until well combined. Divide bread mixture among ramekins, filling each ¾-full.

Put ramekins on a baking sheet. Bake for 25-35 minutes, until puffed and golden. Remove from oven, and let stand for 5 minutes. With a flexible spatula, remove strata to plates. Drizzle creme fraiche over strata. Sprinkle with a little paprika, and top with a sprig of fresh rosemary to serve.

This recipe is from the North Carolina Bed & Breakfast Cookbook (C.W. Worth House, 3D Press Boulder, Colorado, 2005, $19.95), which appeared in the Our State’s August 2007 issue.