Smokin’ Strata
In the words of Crystal’s dad, Jody, “Some times you just want breakfast for dinner.” We couldn’t agree more. This egg masterpiece is not only great for breakfast but also ideal for a savory dinner any night of the week. Aside from the taste, the beautiful thing about stratas is how filling they are. At the heart of any great strata you will find a dense, rustic bread (we use focaccia) layered with an egg mixture and cheese. In this particular recipe we add leeks and red bell peppers for a touch of sweetness and color, but the real standout is the smoky flavor provided by the Gouda cheese. Hence, the strata’s name. Enjoy!
Recipe information
Yield
makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
Step 2
In a medium sauté pan set over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the bell peppers and leeks and sauté until soft, about 8 minutes. Set aside.
Step 3
Spread half of the bread cubes in the prepared casserole dish. Top with three-fourths of the cheese and three-fourths of the red pepper mixture. Repeat the layers.
Step 4
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, half-and-half, eggs, mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour over the strata layers. Bake for 1 hour, or until the eggs are firm and set in the center and the top of the casserole is golden brown.
note
Step 5
Vegetarian friendly!