Grand Central Strata Recipes

GRANDMA'S ANYTHING GOES STRATA

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Grease a 1 1/2 quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
• Whisk the eggs, milk, half-and-half, nutmeg, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a large bowl. Fold the greens, meat, bread and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese into the mixture. Pour into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining cheese.
• Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake until the strata is puffed, golden brown at the edges and set in the center, about 15 minutes more. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

EASY STRATA AND VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Saute mushrooms in 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and set aside.
• 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.
• 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.)
• 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.

GRAND CENTRAL STRATA

Steps:

• To Prepare Vegetables: Broccoli: Cut into thin slices.
• Peel woody stems.
• Blanche in boiling water for 2- 3 minutes depending on the size of your pieces.
• Plunge into cold water.
• Drain and reserve.
• Spinach or Chard: Use frozen chopped spinach or chop fresh greens and blanch about 1 minute in boiling water.
• Drain thoroughly in colander.
• Zucchini: Slice or dice and sauté with onions and mushrooms.
• To Assemble: Sauté the onions, mushrooms and zucchini (if selected) and mix with prepared vegetable of choice.
• Mix in fresh basil.
• Set aside.
• With a wire whisk beat the eggs, add the milk and/or cream and season carefully with salt and pepper.
• Remove the crusts from the bread.
• Butter the bottom and sides of an 8 ½" x 11" ovenproof pan and cut enough bread to cover the bottom.
• (cut pieces to fit snuggly) Spread vegetables over bread and top with grated cheeses.
• Pour egg mixture over all.
• Top with remaining bread.
• Pressing it slightly into egg mixture.
• Dot with butter, Cover and refrigerate overnight or for a minimum of 2 hours.
• Bake at 350 degrees until custard is set and dish is browned on top.
• (50- 60 minutes).

COMPANY STRATA

Steps:

• Butter 9 x 13 pan.
• Cut bread into 3 inch circles or doughnut holes.
• Set aside.
• Put scraps of bread on bottom of pan, then one layer of cheese slices on top of bread.
• Cook and drain broccoli and put one layer of broccoli and add diced ham.
• Arrange doughnut holes and bread holes.
• This may be prepared ahead of time and stored in fridge, covered.
• Combine slightly beaten eggs, milk, chopped onion, salt and mustard.
• Mix and pour over bread.
• cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Bake uncovered 325F 55-60 mins.
• Stand 10 mins before serving.