Portabella Asparagus Egg Strata Food

ASPARAGUS, EGG, AND CHEESE STRATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F (176˚C). Butter a smallish, 4-cup ovenproof baking dish.
• Trim the crusts from the bread and toss them to the birds or in the compost. Place the slices of bread in the baking dish, overlapping the slices slightly and, if necessary, allowing the edges to hang over the side of the dish just a little.
• Whisk together the eggs and milk. Stir in half of the cheese and season with salt and pepper. Pour 3/4 of the egg mixture over the bread and set the rest of the egg mixture aside.
• Break off the stem ends of the asparagus where each one snaps naturally. Cut the spears into 1 1/2-inch lengths.
• Layer the prosciutto or mortadella, if using, on the bread. Place the asparagus spears on top and pour the remaining egg mixture over the asparagus. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. At this point, if you have the time, we strongly encourage you to cover the strata with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight to allow the bread to soak up the egg mixture and so the flavors can meld.
• Bake the strata until set, 30 to 35 minutes. (If you refrigerated the strata overnight and are baking it straight from the fridge, you may need to allow a few extra minutes baking time.)
• Let the strata cool slightly. Grind a little pepper over the top, if you please, and sprinkle with chives, if using. Plonk the baking dish on the table and scoop the strata straight from it onto plates. Originally published March 26, 2012.

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.

RITA'S EGGS STRATA

Steps:

• Spread butter onto one side of each slice of bread. Cut into quarters. Lay half of the bread, butter side down, in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with half of the Cheddar cheese and half of the Monterey Jack. Layer the remaining bread over the cheese, and top with the other halves of the cheeses.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, and milk. Stir in the brown sugar, salt, pepper, cayenne, onion powder, mustard powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the cheese and bread. Cover, and refrigerate at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Bake the strata uncovered for 1 hour in the preheated oven. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Slice and garnish with fresh parsley.

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.

PORTABELLA & ASPARAGUS EGG STRATA

Steps:

• Night before:.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and thyme, and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, mushrooms, asparagus, and half of the salt and cook for 5 more minutes. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, mustard, parsley, pepper and the remaining salt.
• Spread half of the bread cubes over the bottom of a 10x8x2-inch non-stick pan. Top with half of the vegetable mixture and a third of the crumbled goat cheese. Layer with the remaining bread cubes and vegetables, and pour the egg mixture evenly over the top. Cover strata and refrigerate overnight.
• Supper time:.
• Preheat oven to 375°F Remove strata from refrigerator while the oven heats. Sprinkle remaining goat cheese over top of strata, and bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes, or until firm in the center and golden brown. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

PORTABELLA AND ASPARAGUS FAJITAS

Steps:

• For fajitas: Marinate portabellos and asparagus in the dressing for 30 minutes.
• Grill or roast or broil mushrooms and asparagus until done.
• Slice mushrooms.
• Serve with tortillas, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and whatever else you like.