Roasted Peppers Spinach And Three Cheese Casserole Recipes

SPINACH, ROASTED PEPPER AND CHEESE STRATA

Steps:

• Heat butter and olive oil in a small saute pan. Add sweet onion, a generous dash of salt, and several grinds of fresh black pepper. Cook slowly over low heat until onions are nicely caramelized.
• Meanwhile, quarter, stem and seed the bell pepper, being sure to cut away any white pith. Place the pepper quarters skin side up under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the skin is beginning to char. Remove peppers to a closed container or a bowl with a plate across it. Once cool enough to handle, slough off the skin and dice the pepper.
• Squeeze as much moisture out of the thawed spinach as possible. In a wide bowl, combine spinach, cilantro, caramelized onion, diced roasted pepper and any collected pepper juices until evenly mixed. Gently stir in feta.
• In a separate bowl or small pitcher, whisk together eggs and milk. If desired, add a tablespoon of grainy mustard or a teaspoon of prepared horseradish, along with additional ground black pepper, into the custard.
• Spray a large deep lidded casserole with cooking spray. Spray the edges of the lid as well. Spread half of the bread cubes across the bottom. Arrange spinach mixture over bread to cover, all the way out to the edges. Top spinach with shredded cheese and then remaining bread cubes.
• Slowly pour the custard mixture evenly over the strata, moving in concentric circles. Cover strata and refrigerate at least one hour and up to one day.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake strata, covered, 30 minutes. Remove lid and continue to bake 20-25 minutes, or until golden. Remove from oven and allow to stand 5 - 10 minutes.

CHEESY SPINACH-POTATO EGG CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush a 2-quart baking dish with butter. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until golden in places, 5 to 7 minutes. Add spinach and thyme; cook until spinach wilts and darkens slightly, about 5 minutes. Add potatoes and milk; season with pepper.
• Simmer until milk thickens and reduces slightly and potatoes are easily pierced with the tip of a knife but still retain their shape, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool completely. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk eggs with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and nutmeg. Stir cooled potato mixture and half of cheese into eggs.
• Transfer to prepared baking dish and cover with parchment-lined foil. (If assembling the day before, wrap the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake). Bake casserole, covered, 30 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle evenly with remaining half of cheese, and continue baking until set and golden brown in places, 15 to 25 minutes more (if the top is browning too quickly, tent with foil). Let cool slightly before serving.