Here’s the definition from Cookthink:
Strata is a bread pudding-like layered comfort food casserole made with eggs, cheese and stale cubed bread (or sometimes hash browns).
(The strata is assembled ahead of time by layering ingredients in a casserole dish and chilling overnight or for 8 hours before bringing it back up to room temperature and baking. A popular one-dish brunch dish, strata can also be made as a side dish. To the basic recipe, you can add infinite combinations of vegetables, fish or meat. Strata is eaten warm.)
Reuben Strata (Great for left over Corned Beef)
Ingredients:
-8 oz. Sauerkraut (squeezed dry)
-7-12 oz. Corned Beef (sliced and diced)
-3 c. Swiss cheese (shredded)
-12 Slices Rye Bread (I used 6 slices Dark Rye and 6 slices Marbled Rye)
-2 c. Heavy Cream
-1/2 c Ketchup
-1/4 Red Onion (small dice)
-1 Tbsp. Worcestershire
-1 Tbsp. Horseradish
-1 tsp. Pepper
-2 tsp. Salt
-10 Eggs
Instructions:
Cut bread into 1-2 in. pieces. Place bread pieces on large, flat cookie sheet. Toast in a 350° oven for 30 min, turning bread once halfway through. Remove bread from oven, let cool.
Combine Sauerkraut, Corned Beef, half of Swiss Cheese, and cooled Rye Bread Pieces in large bowl. Mix well, and then pour into a greased casserole dish. (A 9” X 13” dish should do the trick; I think that the one I used was a little larger.)
In another large bowl combine the Heavy Cream, Ketchup, Onion, Horseradish, Worcestershire Sauce, S & P, and Eggs. Mix well. Pour egg mixture over bread mixture. Top with remaining Swiss Cheese. Bake in a 350° oven (middle rack) for ~ 30-40 min., until the eggs are set and the cheese is starting to brown.
Two side notes:
-I would check the Strata after 30 min. I over cooked mine, but I did run to the store while it was in the oven, so it cooked for ~50 min. (Rough estimate.)
-Also, most Strata recipes, I see, call for you to let it rest overnight before baking. I did not do this and it tasted terrific. But maybe it could have tasted even better.
OK, now EAT!
Chorizo Strata (Concocted on Christmas Day 2010)
Ingredients:
-Garlic Artisan bread
[Artisan bread is exactly what its name suggests: bread that is crafted, rather than mass produced. (def. from: wisegeek.com)]
-12 eggs
-2-3 c. whole milk
– 3 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend
– s&p
-12-16oz chorizo
-1 Spanish onion
-Fresh Spinach 16 oz.
Instructions:
Cut bread into 1-2 in. pieces. Place bread pieces on large, flat cookie sheet. Toast in a 350° oven for 30 min, turning bread once halfway through. Remove bread from oven, let cool.
Sauté onion, until translucent, in a large sauté pan. Add chorizo to onion and cook through. Add spinach to onion and chorizo, a small bunch at a time, to wilt. After all spinach is wilted remove sauté pan from heat, and set aside.
Place ½ of toasted bread into a greased casserole dish. (A 9” X 13” dish should do the trick; I think that the one I used was a little larger.) Spread chorizo, onion, and spinach mixture over 1st layer of bread. Top that layer with 1 cup shredded Mexican Cheese Blend. Layer with remaining Bread.
Next, combine eggs, milk, salt, and pepper on a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Pour Egg mixture over bread mixture. Top strata with two more cups of shredded Mexican Cheese Blend. Bake in a 350° oven (middle rack) for ~ 30-40 min., until the eggs are set and the cheese is starting to brown. Remove the strata from the oven and eat it!
Hey-next time Strata is served-let me know. Also-that chili for Super Bowl Sunday was truly the most fantastic chili I have ever tasted! I did have some chicken white bean chili that was good-very different. I will bring you the recipe.