Easy Strata and Variations Recipe
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Easy Strata and Variations

By: USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson 
"Make one recipe and then give variations in notes."

This Kitchen Approved Recipe has an average star rating of 4.7 Rate/Review | Read Reviews (65)

 

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Original Recipe Yield 12 servings
 

Ingredients

  • 1 pound each of prepared meat and vegetable (optional) OR 1 pound each of 2 prepared vegetables (optional)
  • 1 quart half-and-half
  • 12 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper
  • 12 slices fluffy white bread
  • 12 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions

Directions

  1. Saute mushrooms in 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt, and set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.)
  4. 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.

Footnotes

  • VEGETABLE OPTIONS

  • Bell peppers: Slice and saute in 1 Tb. olive oil. Salt.

    Baby spinach: Steam, covered, with 1 Tb. oil and salt until wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain.

    Frozen corn: Thaw and drain.

    Asparagus: Cut in 1-inch pieces. Steam, covered, with 1 Tb. oil, salt and 1/3 cup water, 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover and cook off liquid.
  • MEAT OPTIONS

  • Bacon: Cut into 1/2-inch pieces and fry until crisp. Drain well.

    Sausage: Fry bulk breakfast or Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain.

    Kielbasa: Thinly slice.

    Crab: Pick over pasteurized backfin crab for shell and cartilage.

  • Copyright 2004 USA WEEKEND and columnist Pam Anderson. All rights reserved.

 view all reviews »  

The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 9, 2007 by Marianne   view full review
I made 5 of these for a family brunch last Sunday. They turned out fantastic and were a...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 6, 2007 by Cookin' Away   view full review
I had never made strata before and I made three variations for a brunch shower. I thought they...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 13, 2006 by Tina C.   view full review
This is a versatile and reliable crowd pleaser. I've used many different combinations and...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 25, 2008 by DerAvi Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
It was pretty good. However, After 50 minutes of baking and 10 minutes of setting it cool-...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 21, 2007 by Lynn Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
This is a great basic strata recipe. Start with the basic bread, egg, milk mixture and add...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on May 1, 2007 by SWEETBEE1   view full review
This made the best breakfast casserole I ever tasted!My guests wouldn't stop raving about it!...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 12, 2007 by ChristinaW Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
I made this for a big group on a weekend get away and it was a hit! I added asparagus, plum...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 6, 2006 by Renee   view full review
I liked this recipe because it gave the basic recipe and also gave suggested variations. I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on May 1, 2006 by DJudkins   view full review
Great recipe - I made it for friends and everyone wanted the recipe. I used green peppers...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 29, 2006 by Caroline C   view full review
Good versatile recipe. I think the cook time is way off though; mine was done in about 30mins,...

 
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