Make Ahead Philly Beef Strata Food

MAKE-AHEAD PHILLY BEEF STRATA

Steps:

• Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish or 3-quart oval casserole with cooking spray. Spread 1/3 of the bread cubes in baking dish. Top evenly with 1/3 of the bell pepper and onion stir-fry and 1/3 of the beef. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat layers twice, ending with cheese.
• In large bowl, beat eggs. Stir in all remaining ingredients; pour evenly over cheese. Cover tightly with foil; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
• When ready to bake, heat oven to 350°F. Uncover baking dish; bake 40 to 50 minutes or until puffed, top is golden brown and center is set. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

PHILLY CHEESESTEAK STRATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Tear the hoagie rolls into medium bite-sized pieces and spread on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven until dried out, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Brown the steak slices in the oil, breaking up into pieces with a wooden spoon, in a cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Remove from the skillet and drain all but 1 tablespoon of fat. Cook the onion, peppers, mushrooms, a pinch of salt and some pepper, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the steak back to the pan, stir well, turn off the heat and set aside.
• Microwave the cheese sauce in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until pourable. Pour into a large bowl with the eggs and half-and-half and whisk to combine well.
• Place a layer of dried bread in a deep 9-by-13-inch casserole dish. Add a layer of steak and peppers, then ladle the cheese custard over until just covered. Repeat until all the ingredients are used. Bake the strata until just set, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler to low. Layer the provolone across the top of the pan, overlapping as necessary. Broil until the cheese topping is brown and bubbly, 5 to 10 minutes. Let the strata sit for 10 minutes to set before serving.

BEEF STROGANOFF (WITH MAKE AHEAD DIRECTIONS)

Steps:

• Heat sauté pan over medium-high heat until hot.
• Sauté half of the beef in 1 Tbsp of butter briefly to brown.
• Remove beef and any juices from pan into a bowl.
• Repeat with second half of beef.
• In same pan, without washing out, add 1 more Tbsp of butter and sauté the onions and mushrooms until soft.
• Remove to bowl with beef.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and cook noodles per the package directions while finishing the sauce. (Skip this step if you are making ahead.).
• Melt remaining 3 Tbsp of butter.
• Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
• Whisk the broth into butter-flour mixture, slowly to prevent lumping.
• Add ketchup, paprika, basil, and nutmeg.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.
• Add meat, mushrooms, and onions to sauce and continue to simmer for 5- 10 minutes more.
• Remove from heat and stir in sherry.
• Stir in sour cream, and serve immediately over the drained egg noodles.
• MAKE AHEAD: Complete the sauce up through adding the sherry. Cool completely, and freeze.
• Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
• Prepare noodles according to package directions.
• While noodles cook, reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat until hot.
• Off the heat, stir in the sour cream, and serve as above.

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESE STRATA

Steps:

• Toss together bread cubes and melted butter. Place half in a lightly greased 12 x 8 x 2 inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of cheese over bread cubes. Repeat procedure with remaining bread cubes and cheese.
• Combine remaining ingredients except celery leaves; beat well. Pour over cheese layers. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.
• Uncover and bake at 350 degrees F. for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Garnish with celery leaves; serve warm.