Mushroom Swiss Thyme Breakfast Strata With Optional Bacon Food

MUSHROOM, SWISS, & THYME BREAKFAST STRATA WITH OPTIONAL BACON

Steps:

• In a medium saute pan, heat the olive oil and saute the onion and mushrooms until soft, about 5 - 6 minutes. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, thyme, salt, and pepper until well-beaten.
• Spray an 8-inch x 8-inch x at least 2-inch deep baking pan/casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray (or grease with butter).
• Lay four bread slices on the bottom of the pan.
• Sprinkle bread with 1/2 of the sauteed vegetables.
• Add 1/2 of the cheese.
• Pour half of the egg mixture over the top.
• Add the remaining four slices of bread in a single layer, then the veggies, then the cheese. Pour the remaining egg mixture over the top.
• Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight, or for at least three hours.
• In the morning, uncover and bake at 325 degrees for about 50 minutes, until the strata is set (it will no longer jiggle in the middle).
• Let cool for about 10 minutes, then serve.

MUSHROOM, BACON, AND SWISS STRATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Arrange bread in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until toasted. Place bread cubes in a large bowl.
• Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and mushrooms to pan; sauté 10 minutes or until liquid evaporates and vegetables are tender. Add onion mixture to bread; toss well to combine. Arrange half of bread mixture in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with half of cheese and half of bacon; top with remaining bread mixture, cheese, and bacon.
• Combine milk and next 4 ingredients (through salt), stirring with a whisk. Pour milk mixture over bread mixture. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Remove strata from refrigerator; let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Bake strata, covered, at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until set. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with thyme sprigs, if desired.

MUSHROOM AND CHEESE STRATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a large skillet cook onion and garlic in hot margarine or butter over medium heat for 2 minutes.
• Add mushrooms and cook about 3 minutes more or until tender, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat.
• In a small mixing bowl combine the mozzarella, fontina, and herbs; toss to mix.
• In a greased 2-quart square baking dish place half of the bread cubes.
• Top with the mushroom mixture, cheese mixture, and prosciutto or Canadian-style bacon.
• Top with the remaining bread cubes.
• In a mixing bowl combine beaten eggs or egg product, milk, sour cream, mustard, and pepper.
• Pour over layers in dish.
• Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 to 24 hours.
• Bake, uncovered, for 55 to 60 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Let stand 10 minutes.
• To serve, cut into squares; garnish with fresh thyme sprigs.