Celery Strata Recipes

CELERY STRATA

Steps:

• Whisk together the milk, eggs and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir in the thyme and sage. In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta, Parmesan, pepper and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and stir in the braised celery.
• Grease a 9-by-12-by-2 1/2-inch pan with 1 teaspoon of butter. Place 6 slices of bread in the bottom and top with 1/2 of the ricotta-Parmesan mixture. Repeat, then finish with a layer of bread spread with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Pour the egg mixture over the top, gently pressing down so it soaks through the bread. Wrap the pan in plastic and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the plastic from the pan and sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Put this pan into a large roasting pan on the middle rack in the oven. Pour boiling water into the larger pan to reach halfway up the sides and bake for 50 minutes.
• Remove the smaller pan from the water bath, increase the heat to 400 degrees and bake for 10 minutes, or until the strata is puffy and brown. Let cool and serve.

HEARTY CHICKEN STRATA

Steps:

• Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on several ungreased large baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and crisp. , Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the chicken, potatoes, celery, carrots and parsley. In another large bowl, combine the milk, broth, eggs, butter, salt and pepper. Pour over bread mixture; toss to coat. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45 minutes; stir. Bake 45 minutes longer or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve with gravy if desired.

TUNA STRATA

Steps:

• Generously grease a 12x8 baking dish.
• Trim 6 slices of bread to fit bottom of the dish.
• Butter top of each slice of bread with 1/2 tsp of butter.
• Place bread slices butter side up in baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, flake tuna and add celery, onion, pickles, Old Bay Seasoning and mayonnaise. Mix well.
• Spread tuna mixture over bread and sprinkle with cheese.
• Trim other 6 slices of bread and butter tops.
• Arrange slices buttered side up over tuna and cheese.
• In medium bowl, beat eggs with milk, mustard and hot pepper sauce.
• Pour over casserole evenly.
• Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes or until puffy and lightly browned and set.
• Let stand 5-10 minutes before serviing.

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.

CHICKEN STRATA

Steps:

• Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus, water and cover. Cook until asparagus is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Uncover and cook until all liquid is evaporated, about 2 minutes. Transfer vegetables to large bowl.
• Add chicken and mayonnaise, mix well. Whisk milk, broth, eggs, parsley, chives, salt and pepper in another bowl.
• Lightly butter a 13x9 inch glass baking dish. Spread half of bread cubes in dish; top with chicken mixture. Spread remaining cubes over chicken. Pour egg mixture over ingredients in dish. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 10 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Bake strata for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese; bake until cheese is melted, about 15 minutes more. Let stand for 5 minutes; serve hot.