Merediths Strata Recipes

FLUFFY STRATA RECIPE (OVERNIGHT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• Set out a large mixing bowl and a 9X13 inch (3 quart) baking dish. Grease the baking dish. Chop all necessary ingredients.
• In the mixing bowl, add the eggs, milk, salt, ground mustard, and garlic powder. Whisk well to break up all the yolks. Then stir in the cheeses, ham, scallions, and roasted red pepper.
• Tear the bread loaf into 1-2 inch chunks and place them in the baking dish.
• Pour the egg mixture over the top of the bread. Use a spatula to fold the bread over, gently, to make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed. Cover and chill until ready to bake.
• Let the strata recipe rest for at least one hour, so the bread soaks up all the eggs. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. (This is a fabulous make-ahead overnight recipe, so you can also preheat the oven in the morning.)
• Bake, uncovered, for 50-60 minutes, until the top is golden-brown and puffy in the center. Insert a sharp knife into the center to check that the eggs are set. If not, bake another 5-10 minutes. Then cool for 5 minutes before cutting. Serve warm!

MEREDITH'S STRATA "A MORTON FAMILY TRADITION"

Steps:

• Using a cookie cutter, donut cutter, or jar lid, cut bread slices into shapes or circles. Place bread scraps in the bottom of a buttered 13 x9 bakin dish.
• Layer half of the cheese over the bread, then half the tomatoes, all of the onions, and all of the mushrooms over the cheese.
• Cover with the rest of the cheese. then place the bread shapes with a tomatoe in themiddle of each center on the cheese.
• Combine the eggs, milk, salt, oragano, and garlic by whisking. Pour over the bread. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and dot with olives. Cover.
• Refrigerate for six hours or over night. It is easy to make this the night before and then pull it out in the moring to bake.
• Bake for 1 - 1.5 hours (I like my eggs cooked so I went on the longer side) in a 325 degree oven, or until a knife comes out clean. Let stand for five minutes to firm (so it isn't oozy - i think that is a new word) then serve.

EASY STRATA AND VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Saute mushrooms in 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and set aside.
• Whisk half-and-half, eggs, salt and pepper until smooth. Spray a 9-by-13-inch Pyrex or ceramic baking dish with vegetable cooking spray.
• Line bottom with 6 slices of bread. Scatter half of the ham, and half of the mushrooms over the bread, then sprinkle with half of the scallions and cheese. Pour 1 cup of egg mixture over the top. Repeat layers with remaining bread, ham, mushrooms, cheese and scallions. Slowly pour remaining egg mixture evenly over top. Cover with plastic wrap, then weight down casserole with 3 16-ounce cans for at least 15 minutes to submerge ingredients. (Can be refrigerated overnight, but return to room temperature before baking.)
• Adjust oven rack to middle position. Bake in preheated 325-degree oven until custard is just set, about 50 minutes. Turn on broiler and broil until strata is spotty brown and puffy (watch carefully), about 5 minutes longer. Let stand for 8 to 10 minutes, then serve immediately.

MORTON FAMILY STRATA (FROM "THE FAMILY STONE" MOVIE)

Steps:

• Using a cookie cutter, donut cutter or lid from a jar, cut bread into shapes or circles. Set aside.
• Place bread scraps in bottom of buttered 13" by 9" baking dish. Layer half of the cheese over bread.
• Arrange half of the tomatoes and all of the onion rings and mushrooms over the cheese. Cover with the rest of the cheese.
• Arrange the bread shapes on the cheese. Put slices of the tomato in the center of each bread shape.
• Combine slightly beaten eggs, milk, salt, oregano and garlic salt. Pour over the bread.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and dot with olives. Cover. Refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.
• Bake 1-1/2 hours in a 325 degree F oven, or until knife comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes or until firm.