Carries Brunch Seafood Strata 12 Servings

EASY BREAKFAST STRATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Prepare a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Put an oven rack in the middle tier of the oven.
• Beat eggs, half-and-half, and black pepper together in a bowl until smooth.
• Arrange 6 bread slices into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread about half the ham and half the spinach over the bread. Sprinkle half the green onions and half the Cheddar cheese over the ham and spinach. Spread the bread cubes over the layers and pour 1 cup of the egg mixture over everything. Repeat layering of ham, spinach, green onions, and Cheddar cheese and pour remaining egg mixture over the top.
• Cover dish with plastic wrap. Put some soup cans atop the plastic wrap to help keep ingredients immersed in liquid; refrigerate at least 15 minutes.
• Bake in preheated oven until the liquid sets in the middle of the dish, about 50 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 155 degrees F (68 degrees C). Let the casserole stand for 8 to 10 minutes before serving.

FARM STAND STRATA

Steps:

• Spray a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• Lay slices of bread in the bottom of the prepared pan in a single layer, trimming and filling in gaps as necessary. Spread 1 cup Cheddar cheese, onion, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, red bell pepper, and bacon on top, in that order.
• Whisk eggs, sour cream, mustard, seasoning blend, salt, and pepper together in a bowl until well combined. Pour mixture over bread, making sure to soak the top layer.
• Cover baking pan and refrigerate strata at least 8 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Uncover strata and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
• Sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese evenly on top and return to the hot oven. Bake until Cheddar cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes more.
• Let strata stand 5 minutes before serving.

BRUNCH STRATA

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the vegetables and ham; cook and stir until vegetables are tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain and pat dry. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and cream until smooth. Gradually beat in eggs. Stir in the remaining ingredients and vegetable mixture., Transfer to two greased 11x7-in. baking dishes. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

EASY BREAKFAST STRATA

Steps:

• Place bread cubes in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. In a large skillet, cook and crumble sausage with pepper and onion over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. With a slotted spoon, place sausage mixture over bread. Sprinkle with cheese., In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, mustard and milk; pour over top. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Preheat oven to 350°. Remove strata from refrigerator while oven heats., Bake, uncovered, until a knife inserted in center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting. Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked casserole. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.

SAVORY STRATA

Steps:

• Whisk together milk, eggs, 1/4 teaspoon salt, Tabasco and nutmeg. Strain through a fine mesh sieve.
• Heat oil in a medium skillet. Add leeks, and toss to coat with oil. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes or until leeks are soft. Season with 3/4 teaspoon salt. Cool.
• Mix together ricotta, Parmesan, pepper and herbs. Stir in the cooled leeks.
• Grease a roasting pan 9 by 12 by 2 1/2 inches with 1 teaspoon butter. Lay 6 slices of bread in the bottom of the pan. Top with half of the ricotta-leek mixture. Repeat with a second layer. Place the last layer of bread in the pan, and spread the top with the softened butter.
• Pour the custard over the bread, gently pressing top slices into the mixture. Place on a cookie sheet, wrap in plastic and refrigerate overnight.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove plastic, and sprinkle the top with the cheese. Place in a larger pan, and put on the middle rack of oven. Fill the larger pan with boiling water to come up about halfway on the smaller pan. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, or until puffy and brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

CARRIE'S BRUNCH SEAFOOD STRATA (12 SERVINGS)

Steps:

• Directions Spray a 13x9x2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large skillet melt margarine or butter; cook leeks for 3 minutes or until tender. Tear tortillas into bite-size pieces. In the baking dish layer half of the tortilla pieces, half of the leeks, half of the shrimp and crabmeat, half of the cheese, and half of the chopped dill. Repeat layers. In a bowl beat together eggs, milk, flour, and pepper until smooth. Pour egg mixture over strata; cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F. oven about 50 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean and top is golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut into squares and serve. Garnish with additional shrimp and fresh dill, if desired. Makes 12 servings. Make-Ahead Tip: Up to 24 hours ahead, prepare casserole. Cover and chill. To serve, bake as directed.

BRUNCH STRATA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute the mushrooms, zucchini, ham, onions, green peppers, and garlic in olive oil until vegetables are tender; drain and pat dry; and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl; beat cream cheese and cream until smooth; beat in eggs.
• Stir in bread, cheese, salt, pepper and vegetable mixture.
• Pour into TWO (2) greased 11-inch x 7-inch x 2-inch baking dishes.
• Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
• Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
• Note: Vegetables & ham can be prepared the day before, also cream cheese, cream & eggs, refrigerate; Then put together before baking.

BRUNCH SEAFOOD STRATA

Steps:

• Spray a 13x9x2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large skillet melt margarine or butter; cook leeks for 3 minutes or until tender. Tear tortillas into bite-size pieces.
• In the baking dish layer half of the tortilla pieces, half of the leeks, half of the shrimp and crabmeat, half of the cheese, and half of the chopped dill. Repeat layers. In a bowl beat together eggs, milk, flour, and pepper until smooth. Pour egg mixture over strata; cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F. oven about 50 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean and top is golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut into squares and serve. Garnish with additional shrimp and fresh dill, if desired.