Ham and Asparagus Strata Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 loaf Italian or French rustic bread, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes, about 8 cups total of bread cubes
• 4 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1 1/4 cups cream
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon (or thyme)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Kosher salt (for blanching water)
• 1 pound asparagus spears, woody ends removed, spears cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 1 medium bowl of ice water
• 2 tablespoons softened butter (for buttering the dish)
• 6 ounces ham, cut into 1/4-inch cubes, about 2 cups
• 4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated, about 1 cup, packed