Cheddar And Chorizo Strata Food

SOUTHWESTERN CORNBREAD STRATA WITH CREAMY SPICY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the Southwestern cornbread strata: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 10-by-12-inch baking dish and place on a baking sheet. Set aside.
• Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the cornbread, press to submerge, and let stand, stirring once or twice to soak the cornbread evenly and thoroughly.
• Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the sausage, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Add the onion, bell pepper and poblano to the drippings in the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned in spots and soft, about 5 minutes.
• Stir the sausage and onion mixture into the cornbread mixture. Stir in the chopped cilantro, 3/4 cup of the Cheddar and 3/4 cup of the Monterey Jack. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish, dot with the goat cheese and sprinkle on the cotija and remaining 1/4 cups Cheddar and Monterey Jack. Bake until the edges are puffed and lightly golden brown and the center still jiggles slightly, about 40 minutes.
• For the tomato sauce: While the strata bakes, heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Stir in the tomatoes and chipotle and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is reduced by half and thickened, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a blender and puree until creamy, venting the top of the blender to allow steam to escape. Return the sauce to the saucepan over low heat, and whisk in the crema and salt and pepper to taste; let the sauce heat through and then remove from the heat. Stir in the lime juice and cover to keep warm.
• Let the strata rest for about 10 minutes, then serve with the creamy spicy tomato sauce, garnishing each serving with some of the whole cilantro leaves.

BACON, CHEDDAR AND SPINACH STRATA

Steps:

• Oil bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch baking dish with about a tablespoon of bacon fat.
• Place bread cubes in a large mixing bowl.
• Crack eggs into a separate mixing bowl. Season with salt, pepper, cayenne, and nutmeg. Add cream and whisk mixture thoroughly.
• Pour egg/cream mixture over the bread cubes and mix to distribute ingredients evenly. Allow bread mixture to sit about 15 minutes to absorb the liquid.
• Transfer half of the bread mixture to the baking pan; spread evenly over the bottom and press mixture down a bit. Top with half of the grated Cheddar cheese. Add cooked bacon pieces in an even layer over the cheese. Place the cooked spinach over the bacon; top with half of the remaining cheese. Finish with the rest of the soaked bread cubes, spread evenly and pressed down slightly. Sprinkle with the rest of the grated cheese. Cover and let strata sit at room temperature for 1 hour before baking.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake strata in preheated oven until set, about 45 minutes. Optionally, you can broil the strata for a minute or two to brown the top.

CHILES RELLENOS BREAKFAST STRATA WITH OPTIONAL CHORIZO

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, toss together the cheddar and monterey jack cheese. Set aside.
• In another medium bowl, beat the eggs, milk, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined.
• Lay the chilies on a cutting board and cut them in half.
• Select the version you're making below and continue.
• Full-on veggie version
• Grease an 8" x 8" baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
• Lay half the chilies flat in the bottom of the baking dish (about 6 chili halves). Lay four slices of bread over the chiles. Pour half the egg mixture over the top of the bread and chilies. Top with half the cheese. Repeat layers: chilies, bread, eggs, and cheese. Sprinkle evenly with a few quick dashes of smoked paprika.
• Continue to "Refrigerate overnight and then bake" step below.
• Brown 1/2 pound chorizo in a medium saute pan over medium heat until cooked through. Drain. Set aside.
• One half-size veggie version/one half-size meaty version
• Grease two approximately 4" x 8'' baking pans/casserole dishes with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
• Lay half the chilies in the bottom of the baking dish (about 3 chili halves each). Lay four slices of bread over the chiles (2 slices of bread per dish). Sprinkle half of the sausage over the meaty version. Top each with about 1/2 cup of the egg mixture. Sprinkle about 1/3 cup of cheese onto each. Repeat layers: chilies, bread, sausage on the sausage version, the rest of the eggs divided evenly between, and the remaining cheese. Sprinkle with a couple of pinches of smoked paprika.
• Continue to "Refrigerate overnight and then bake" step below.
• Brown 1 pound chorizo in a medium saute pan over medium heat until cooked through. Drain. Set aside.
• Full-on meaty version
• Grease an 8" x 8" baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
• Lay half the chilies flat in the bottom of the baking dish (about 6 chili halves). Lay four slices of bread over the chiles. Sprinkle on half the browned chorizo. Pour half the egg mixture over the top of the bread, chilies, and sausage. Top with half the cheese. Repeat layers: chilies, bread, sausage, eggs, and cheese. Sprinkle evenly with a few quick dashes of smoked paprika.
• Continue to "Refrigerate overnight and then bake" step below.
• Refrigerate overnight and then bake
• Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, or for at least three hours.
• In the morning, uncover and bake at 325 degrees for 40 - 50 minutes, until the strata is puffy, golden, and no longer jiggles in the middle.
• Serve with optional toppings if desired.

CHEDDAR AND CHORIZO STRATA

Steps:

• Place 4 cups bread cubes in a single layer in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese and the spinach. Layer with chorizo and onion; top with remaining bread and cheese., In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, garlic salt and mustard. Pour over bread. Refrigerate, covered, several hours or overnight., Preheat oven to 350°. Remove strata from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

MEXICAN CHORIZO STRATA

Steps:

• Heat a drizzle of EVOO in a skillet. Add the chorizo and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until browned. Drain off the fat.
• Arrange the bread in a casserole dish. Top with the chorizo and then the roasted chiles.
• Whisk together the milk, butter, hot sauce and eggs in a bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper; pour over the chiles. Top with the cheese. Cover and refrigerate at least overnight and up to 2 days.
• To serve, bring the strata to room temperature and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Bake the strata for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, whizz together the sour cream, avocado and lime juice in a food processor and season with salt and pepper.
• Top the strata with tomatoes, cilantro and dollops of the avocado sour cream.

CHEDDAR CHEESE AND RED BELL PEPPER STRATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper to skillet and sauté until just tender, about 4 minutes. Mix in green onions; sauté 1 minute longer. Remove from heat.
• Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons butter thinly on bread. Cut bread into 1/2-inch pieces. Layer half of bread in 8 x 8 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Cover with half of cheese, then half of bell pepper mixture. Repeat layering with bread, cheese and bell pepper mixture. Beat milk, eggs, Dijon mustard, dry mustard, salt and pepper in medium bowl to blend. Pour over strata.
• Bake strata until lightly browned on top and set in center, about 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes; cut into squares.

MEXICAN CHORIZO STRATA

Steps:

• To roast the chili peppers, broil, turning occasionally with tongs and leaving the oven door ajar to allow steam to escape, until the skins are blackened all over. Transfer to a bowl, cover and let cool. Peel, seed and chop.
• Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet. Add the chorizo and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until browned. Drain off the fat.
• Arrange the bread in a casserole dish. Top with the chorizo and then the roasted chilies.
• Whisk together the milk, butter, hot sauce and eggs in a bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper; pour over the chili peppers. Top with the cheese. Cover and refrigerate at least overnight and up to 2 days.
• To serve, bring the strata to room temperature and pre-heat the oven to 325°F Bake the strata for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, whizz together the sour cream, avocado and lime juice in a food processor and season with salt and pepper.
• Top the strata with tomatoes, cilantro and dollops of the avocado sour cream.

SPINACH AND CHEDDAR STRATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add spinach and cook, stirring constantly, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a colander and drain, pressing with a rubber spatula to release as much liquid as possible. Divide bread and spinach among 4 small, shallow 8-ounce baking dishes.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and 3/4 cup cheese. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Divide mixture evenly among baking dishes and top with 1/2 cup cheese. Set dishes on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until set in middle and golden brown on top, 20 to 25 minutes.

BACON & CHEDDAR STRATA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook bacon in batches until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble into a small bowl. Add red pepper, onions and tomatoes. In a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, layer half each of the bread, bacon mixture and cheese. Top with remaining bread and bacon mixture., In another bowl, combine eggs, milk, mayonnaise and seasonings. Pour over top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight., Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake, covered, 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 5-10 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.