Bacon Asparagus Strata Food

BACON AND ONION STRATA

Steps:

• Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Put the bacon in a large skillet then cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings. Add the onion to the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until very soft and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often, until golden brown, about 6 minutes more. Set aside.
• Whisk the half-and-half, Parmesan, eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and few grinds of pepper together in a large bowl.
• Layer half of the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of the Swiss, followed by the bacon-onion mixture. Cover with the remaining bread cubes and pour the half-and-half mixture evenly over top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. (This can also be assembled the day of; just let soak at room temperature 30 minutes to 1 hour before baking.)
• On the day of baking, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Let the strata sit at room temperature while the oven preheats. Remove the plastic and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup Swiss. Bake until slightly puffed and just no longer jiggly in the center, 40 to 50 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

BACON-ASPARAGUS STRATA

Steps:

• Lightly coat a 3-quart rectangular baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine bacon, asparagus, and red peppers.
• Place half of the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish.
• Top with half of the bacon mixture and half of the cheese.
• Repeat layers with remaining bread cubes, bacon mixture, and cheese.
• In a big bowl, beat eggs with a whisk; beat or whisk in milk, mustard, salt, and cayenne pepper.
• Carefully pour egg mixture evenly over bread mixture in dish.
• Using the back of a spoon, gently press down on layers to moisten all of the bread.
• Cover dish with plastic wrap and chill for 2 to 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 325°; bake, uncovered, for 50-60 minutes or until puffed, golden, and set.
• Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

BACON & ASPARAGUS STRATA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Arrange bread slices in single layer on bottom of 13x9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray; top with bacon, vegetables and 1/2 cup cheddar.
• Beat eggs in medium bowl. Stir in cottage cheese; pour over ingredients in pan.
• Bake 25 min. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar; bake 5 min. or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 min. before cutting to serve.

VEGETABLE STRATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat. Add asparagus; cook and stir until crisp-tender. Transfer to a large bowl., Repeat with an additional 1 teaspoon oil and zucchini; add to asparagus. In same pan, cook and stir corn, shallots and garlic in remaining oil until shallots are tender; stir in herbs, salt and pepper. Add to asparagus mixture; stir in bread cubes., Place half of mixture in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with 1-1/2 cups cheese. Repeat layers. In another bowl, whisk eggs and milk; pour over casserole. Sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour., Bake, uncovered, 40-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Freeze option: After assembling, cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake strata, covered, 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

ASPARAGUS & CHEESE STRATA

Steps:

• Grease a 9-inch square baking dish.
• In a large bowl, stir together bread cubes, asparagus, 1 cup shredded cheese and the cilantro or parsley, if using.
• In a small bowl, beat together eggs, milk and salt.
• Add to bread cube mixture and stir to combine.
• Transfer to greased baking dish; top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
• Wrap tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake--several hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Uncover baking dish and place on rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake until golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes.
• Cut strata into 6 rectangles and serve with sour cream.

ASPARAGUS STRATA

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add asparagus; boil, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Drain and immediately place asparagus in ice water. Drain and pat dry., In a large bowl, combine the asparagus, milk, bread cubes, eggs, cheese and salt. Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Cover and refrigerate for 5 hours or overnight., Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45-55 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

OVERNIGHT ASPARAGUS STRATA

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups water to a boil. Add asparagus; cook, uncovered, 2-3 minutes or just until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately drop into ice water. Drain and pat dry., Arrange six English muffin halves in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, cut side up. Trim remaining muffin halves to fill spaces. Layer with 1 cup cheese, asparagus, ham and red pepper. , In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, salt, mustard and pepper. Pour over top. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Preheat oven to 375°. Remove strata from refrigerator while oven heats. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

BACON, GRUYèRE, AND HAM STRATA

Steps:

• Combine milk, green onions, egg substitute, mustard, and pepper in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add bread cubes and ham; stir well to combine. Pour into a 2-quart baking pan coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Uncover dish, and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with bacon. Bake an additional 15 minutes or until bread mixture is set and cheese is bubbly.