This is a recipe from my grandmother Ruth that I love for its simplicity. It is nothing more than a ham and cheese sandwich over which you pour some beaten eggs and milk, let it soak and then bake. (I confess that I dressed it up a little by adding the ham...and that my son Sam insists I should have added even more.) Any flavorful sliced melting cheese and any flavorful pork product ? cooked bacon, pancetta, prosciutto, or good old-fashioned country ham ? would work here. This dish can serve as a great light lunch or supper for 2 or ? because it requires so little prep ? as the main attraction at a brunch for a bunch of friends.

Ingredients

• 8 slices homemade-style white bread, 3 to 4 inches square, crusts removed
• 1/4 pound thinly sliced cheese (Muenster, provolone, fontina or Gruyere)
• 2 ounces prosciutto or boiled ham, thinly sliced, optional
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions