Perfect pantry combo — make a **Leek, Bread & Parmesan Skillet Strata**. It's basically a savoury bread-and-butter pudding / frittata, cooked entirely on the stove with a lid. Stale bread is *better* for this.

Ready in ~18 mins, serves 2.

### You need
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 leek, thinly sliced
- Stale bread, cut into ~2cm cubes (about 3-4 slices / 3 cups)
- Parmesan, grated (a good handful, ~50g)
- Butter (a big knob, ~30g)
- Salt & black pepper
- Optional if you have them: chilli flakes, lemon zest, any soft herbs

### Method

**1. Prep (4 mins)**
Slice the leek lengthways, rinse well (they hide grit), then slice into thin half-moons. Cube the bread. Whisk the eggs in a bowl with most of the parmesan, lots of black pepper, a pinch of salt (go easy, parmesan is salty), and 2 tbsp water. That little bit of water helps it puff without milk/cream.

**2. Soften the leek (5 mins)**
Melt half the butter in a medium non-stick or cast-iron pan with a lid over medium heat. Add the leek + a pinch of salt and cook 4-5 mins until soft and sweet, not browned.

Tip the leek into the egg bowl.

**3. Toast the bread (3-4 mins)**
Same pan, melt the rest of the butter. Add the bread cubes and toss until golden and crisp on most sides. If the bread is rock-hard, sprinkle over 1 tbsp water first.

**4. Bring it together (8 mins)**
Turn the heat down to the lowest setting. Pour the egg/leek mixture evenly over the bread, give it a gentle poke/shake so every cube gets coated.

Put the lid on and cook for 7-9 mins. Don't stir. It's done when the edges are set and the centre is just set with a tiny wobble.

Take off the heat, leave the lid on for 2 mins to finish steaming.

**5. Serve**
Scatter over the remaining parmesan (and chilli flakes/herbs if using), slide onto a board, and cut into wedges like a cake.

It's rich, buttery, a bit crispy on the bottom and custardy in the middle. Eat straight away.

**Quick veggie note:** Eggs/dairy are fine for most vegetarians, but traditional Parmigiano-Reggiano is made with animal rennet, so strict vegetarians avoid it. If your gf usually eats cheese, you're fine — if you're not sure, just check in before you shower it on top.

No lid? A big plate or baking tray over the pan works just as well.