Seafood Strata With Pesto Recipes

CALIFORNIA SEAFOOD MAKE AHEAD BRUNCH BAKE

Steps:

• Grease a 9x13" casserole and set aside.
• melt butter and saute mushrooms and onions until tender, stirring frequently.
• Add shrimp and cook until pink, stirring often.
• SPread 3 slices of the bread with the pesto sauce, then top each with another bread slice, pressing together so thick stick.
• Cut pesto sandwiches into small cubes and layer half of them in the bottom of the baking dish.
• Sprinkle half of the cheese on top, then pour all of the mushrooms on top, then the crabmeat and the artichokes.
• Top with remaining bread cubes, then sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
• Beat eggs, add milk, salt, and cayene pepper; beat well.
• Pour wet mixture over the bread mixture, covering evenly.
• You may need to poke some some parts of the bread to get them wet- you want everything to be moistened with the egg mixture.
• Cover and chill overnight (or at least 8 hours).
• Heat oven to 350 F, remove cover, and bake casserole for about 35-40 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let rest 5 miutes before slicing to firm up and cool slightly.
• Cut into 12 squares.

CRAB AND SPINACH STRATA

Steps:

• Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange bread slices in single layer in bottom of baking dish. Cut remaining bread into cubes to fill in empty spaces.
• Spread pesto over bread. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese. Layer imitation crabmeat, spinach, bell pepper, onion and remaining 1 cup cheese over bread.
• In large bowl, beat eggs, milk and salt until well blended. Pour over mixture in baking dish. Cover; refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Bake uncovered 45 to 55 minutes or until set and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

SARASOTA'S SPINACH AND SHRIMP STRATA

Steps:

• Base -- Spray a 13x9" pan with Pam or a non stick spray. Arrange the slices of bread on the bottom, and make sure to cover the entire bottom. Cut smaller pieces to fill in the empty spaces.
• Strata -- Spread the pesto over the bread making sure to coat everything, and then cover with 1/2 the cheese, 1 cup. Layer with the shrimp, spinach, red peppers, onion and finish with the remaining 1 cup of the cheese.
• Egg -- Mix the eggs, milk, salt and pepper well and pour over the casserole. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate over night. Eight (8) hours is required, but don't let it cover over 12 hours.
• Bake -- Remove from the refrigerator and let it warm up a bit so It isn't ice cold. Cover with foil if not already and bake in a 350 degree oven, middle rack for 30 minutes. Remove and arrange the tomatoes slices on the casserole and continue to bake covered for another 15-20 minutes (45 min) is the right time for my oven, but just check by inserting a knife in the center. When it comes out clean it is done.
• If you want - you can put the dish under the broiler for just 3-4 minutes to broil the tomatoes, but I don't mind if they aren't browned. It is a nice texture to me to have the fresh tomatoes on the top.
• Serve -- Make sure to let the strata set 15 minutes before serving. ENJOY!
• Prep time includes the overnight rest.