Crab And Three Cheese Strata Recipes

BRIE AND CRAB STRATA

Steps:

• Using 2 Tbsp of unsalted butter, grease a 2-quart baking dish.
• Place half of the bread cubes in the dish, then grated Fontina, then chopped basil, then crab meat; top with remaining bread cubes.
• Take the chilled Brie from the refrigerator and trim the rind (note: the colder the Brie remains, the easier it will be to cut, so don't take it out of the refrigerator too soon before this step).
• Cut the cheese into small cubes, then dot the top of the strata with the cubes of Brie.
• Using a food processor or an electric mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese and the eggs until light and fluffy.
• Melt the 1/2 cup of butter, then into the cream cheese mixture beat the milk, white pepper, mace, cayenne pepper, minced garlic, and melted butter.
• Pour mixture over the strata; using the back of a spoon, press the bread cubes down into the mixture so that all are moistened well.
• Refrigerate over night or at least 6 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, then bake the strata for 1 hour or until puffy and golden brown.
• Let sit for at least 5 minutes before serving either hot or warm.

CRAB STRATA

Steps:

• Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. In casserole, mix bread cubes, crabmeat, cheeses, capers and onions.
• In medium bowl, beat eggs with wire whisk. Beat in milk, sherry, mustard and Worcestershire sauce; pour over bread mixture. Cover tightly; refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Bake uncovered about 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with additional onions and bell pepper.

MUSHROOM AND THREE-CHEESE STRATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool.
• Combine bread and milk in large bowl. Let stand until milk is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Whisk half and half and next 6 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Stir in goat cheese.
• Place half of bread mixture in single layer in prepared glass baking dish (bread will not cover bottom of baking dish). Top with half each of mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, Fontina cheese, and half and half mixture. Repeat layering with remaining bread, mushrooms, Parmesan and Fontina cheeses, and half and half mixture. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Bake strata uncovered until firm in center, puffed and golden, about 1 hour.

CRAB AND ROASTED RED PEPPER STRATA

Steps:

• Butter 10-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides. Whisk eggs and half and half in medium bowl to blend. Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add peppers and garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in green onions, parsley and thyme. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Add crab and bread cubes and toss to combine. Add egg mixture, salt, and pepper; mix until well combined. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Let stand 30 minutes or cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle strata with cheese. Bake until brown and puffed, about 1 hour. Cool on rack 30 minutes (center will fall). Using sharp knife, cut around edge to loosen. Cut into wedges and serve.

CRAB AND SWISS STRATA

Steps:

• Spread English muffin halves with the 3 tablespoons butter.
• Line a greased 2 quart rectangular baking dish with half the muffins, buttered side up.
• In a medium bowl combine the crabmeat and cheeses and layer this mixture over the muffins in the dish; sprinkle with capers and top with remaining muffins; buttered side up.
• In a large skillet, cook onions in the 1 tablespoons butter over medium heat for 5 minutes or until l tender.
• Stir in sherry and Worcestershire sauce.
• Bring to just boiling and remove from heat.
• In a medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, mustard, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste (dash of each).
• Stir in onion mixture.
• Carefully pour over muffin layers in baking dish and press muffins lightly with back of a large spoon to moisten tops.
• Cover and chill overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350°F and bake uncovered for 50 minutes or until muffins are browned and knife comes out clean when inserted in the middle.
• Let stand 10 minutes before serving.