Cherry Strata From The Heritage Inn With Cherry Sauce Recipes

CHERRY STRATA

Steps:

• .::|| Cherry Strata ||::.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Grease 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan.
• Place 8 cups of the bread cubes in prepared pan.
• In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar and extract until smooth. Stir in pecans and cherries (or cranberries). Spoon over bread and top with remaining bread cubes.
• In mixing bowl, whisk eggs, cream, cinnamon and remaining sugar. Pour over bread.
• Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes 350°F, or until browned.
• Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Top individual servings with Cherry Syrup.
• .::|| Cherry Syrup ||::.
• Combine cherries, sugar and corn syrup in small saucepan.
• Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in extract. Serve warm over strata.

CARAMELIZED ONION, SPINACH AND GRUYERE STRATA WITH SAUTEED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Put the bread on a baking sheet and toast until lightly golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter and canola oil in a large saute pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onions and toss to coat, then add the sugar and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread, caramelized onions and spinach. In another large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, heavy cream, 1 1/2 cups cheese, the mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, the thyme and nutmeg. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add the bread mixture to the baking dish, then pour the egg mixture over the bread and press down to make sure it is totally submerged.
• Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake the strata, uncovered, until it is golden brown on top, puffed slightly and doesn't shimmy with uncooked custard when you shake the pan, 50 minutes to 1 hour; sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
• Meanwhile, prepare the tomatoes: Heat the canola oil in a large saute pan over high heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the cherry tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the chives and remove from the heat. Serve the strata with the sauteed tomatoes.

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.

MOM'S FAVORITE CHEESE STRATA

Steps:

• Lightly grease casserole.
• Cut 3 slices of bread into 3 strips each. Fit into casserole. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and 1/3 of the onion.
• Add 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat layers two more times.
• Beat eggs, add milk, Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Pour over bread mixture.
• Allow to set in the refrigerator overnight.
• Take out 2 hours before baking.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, then bake for 50 minutes.