Best Strata Recipe
My strata recipe is one of my favorite crowd-pleasers! Featuring crusty challah bread that soaks up a rich egg custard, colorful sautéed veggies, and a generous layer of Gruyère cheese melted into gooey goodness. It’s the perfect dish to make your next Christmas morning breakfast, brunch, or potluck a delicious success!
Challah Bread: Soft and slightly sweet, challah bread forms a sturdy foundation. Brioche or artisan bread are good substitutions. Olive Oil: Used to sauté the vegetables. You can use a vegetable oil like canola if you prefer. Onion: Adds depth and mild pungent flavor. Any type of onion you have on hand will work. Red Bell Pepper: Provides a little sweetness and crisp texture. Yellow or orange bell peppers also offer a similar effect. Fresh Spinach: Contributes a burst of freshness and earthiness. Kale is another option. Gruyère Cheese: Adds the melty layer of rich cheese. Swiss or Emmental cheese provides a comparable flavor profile. Eggs: Creates the custardy base and binds the breakfast strata together. Milk: Provides moisture and creaminess. Whole milk or 2% is the best choice, but a dairy-free option such as soy or almond milk will work. Seasonings: Salt and black pepper season the whole dish and enhance the flavor of each ingredient. Ground Mustard: Infuses the strata with a mild kick. Dijon mustard or yellow mustard are good alternatives.
Similar to my overnight breakfast casserole, this strata recipe involves soaking bread in eggs and baking it with a mixture of other ingredients. It’s easy peasy and a great way to transform simple ingredients into a tasty masterpiece To begin, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Then add the onion and red bell pepper, and saute for about 5 to 7 minutes or until softened. Next, add the fresh spinach and cook it for another 2 to 3 minutes until it wilts. Then remove the pan from the heat and let the vegetable mixture cool slightly. Next, evenly spread the cubes of challah bread on the bottom of a generously greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Then scatter the cooked vegetables and grated cheese evenly over the bread. First, whisk the eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, and ground mustard together in a large bowl. Then, pour the mixture evenly over the bread, veggies, and cheese. Use a spatula to gently press the bread down to help it absorb the egg mixture. Now, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and let the casserole sit for at least 30 minutes to give the bread enough time to soak up the liquid fully. After soaking, transfer the covered strata to an oven preheated to 350°F (180°C) and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and let it bake for another 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown on top and set. Once done, remove your strata from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This time allows the casserole to set more and for the flavors to further develop. Then serve and enjoy!
Storage
You can store leftover strata wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can keep it in the freezer for about 2 months and just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. To reheat, warm it in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for approximately 15 minutes or until heated through. If you need a quicker option, pop it in the microwave for a few minutes on medium power.
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