Recipe

Icelandic Asparagus & Ham Bake Recipe

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Ingredients

1 (10 1/2 oz) can asparagus (cut spears, drained & liquid reserved) .
4 slices sandwich bread (white or wheat, lrg size & not thin-sliced, cut or torn in roughly 3/4 in pieces) .
1 c cheddar cheese (finely shredded) .
1 (8 oz) can mushrooms (stems & pieces, sliced, drained & liquid reserved) .
4 tbsps mayonnaise .
14 oz cream cheese (softened) .
1/2 lb ham (sliced, Deli-type pkg is fine & a larger or smaller amt is fine as well) .
2 eggs

Directions

Step #1 Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) w/oven rack placed in the center position of the oven.
Step #2 Lightly grease a 9-in rd baking dish (or spray w/PAM type spray) & set aside.
Step #3 Place cut or torn bread pieces in a lrg mixing bowl & add liquid reserved from draining the mushrooms & asparagus.
Step #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.
Step #5 ).
Step #6 Add eggs to bread mixture & mix well.
Step #7 Add cream cheese, mayo, ham, mushrooms & asparagus to the bread mixture & mix very well to mix (This will break up the asparagus pieces & is what you want to happen).
Step #8 Pour mixture into baking dish.
Step #9 Sprinkle top surface evenly w/shredded cheddar cheese & use your hand to press it lightly into the surface.
Step #10 Bake for 30-40 min or till golden brown & tests done using a sharp knife in the center.
Step #11 Tent w/foil wrap as needed during baking if browning faster than expected.
Step #12 Serve at once or set aside at rm temp & reheat in microwave as needed.
Step #13 NOTE: Spice upings of choice can be added to suit individual preferences (esp pepper & garlic).
Step #14 My experience was the combo of canned mushrooms & asparagus + the reserved liquid used + the ham meant that no added salt was needed.
Enjoy the Icelandic Asparagus & Ham Bake recipe