Southwestern Cornbread Strata With Creamy Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick spray and place in the oven while you make the batter.
• In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, red pepper flakes and salt. Stir to combine. Add the milk, oil and corn and stir until just combined. Stir in the Cheddar, onions and green peppers and stir just until incorporated.
• Carefully remove the hot muffin tin from the oven and ladle the batter into it. Return to the oven and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Remove from the muffin tin and serve.

SPICY STRATA

Steps:

• Butter 8-by-8-inch baking dish and set aside. Heat butter over medium heat. When it foams, add scallions, and cook until just softened, about 1 minute. Add asparagus and cook until bright green and beginning to soften, about 2 minutes; remove from heat.
• Whisk eggs, half-and-half, salt, cumin, and pepper in a large bowl until evenly combined. Arrange half of the bread in bottom of prepared dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the cheese and half each of jalapenos, cilantro, and asparagus mixture. Pour over half of egg mixture. Repeat layering with remaining bread, another 1/2 cup of the cheese, and remaining chilies, cilantro and asparagus mixture. Pour remaining egg mixture over top.
• Sprinkle strata with another 1/4 cup of the cheese and push to ensure bread is submerged in egg custard. Cover with plastic wrap, put a plate and a 1-pound weight on top (a large can of tomatoes or rice in a re-sealable plastic bag works well), place in refrigerator for 1 to 12 hours.
• When ready to bake, heat oven to 325 degrees F and arrange rack in the middle. Let strata sit at room temperature while oven heats, at least 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle strata with remaining 1/4 cup of the cheese and bake until puffed and edges pull away slightly, about 40 to 45 minutes. Cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. Serve with some cilantro, sour cream, and avocado, as desired.