Leek Brie Strata Recipes

CHEESY LEEK STRATA

Steps:

• In a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray, layer half of the bread cubes, half of the leeks and half of the red pepper, 3/4 cup Swiss cheese and 3/4 cup cheddar cheese. Repeat layers once., In a bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, beer, garlic, salt and pepper. Pour over cheese. Cover with plastic wrap. Weigh strata down with a slightly smaller baking dish. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight., Remove strata from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before cutting.

LEEK & BRIE STRATA

Steps:

• 1. Trim off the darkest green tops of the leeks. Peel off and discard wilted or discolored leaves. Halve or quarter the leeks lengthwise, then rinse under cold running water. Place in a bowl and fill with cold water. Repeat process at least twice to remove any sand from between the layers; drain and pat dry. Cut into thin slices. You should have about 4 cups. 2. Lightly coat a 2 ½-quart baking dish with some of the butter and set aside. Melt remaining butter in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring often, until tender but not browned, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper; set aside to cool. 3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs until foamy. Whisk in milk until blended, then whisk in Parmesan, ½ teaspoon salt and a grinding of pepper. Spread half of bread cubes in the bottom of prepared pan. Spoon leeks evenly over the top, followed by dried tomatoes and then the pieces of Brie. Spread remaining bread over cheese. Pour egg mixture over top, pressing lightly to moisten bread. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. 4. Remove strata from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake, uncovered, on center oven rack 45 minutes or until puffed, browned and cooked in the center. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN-LEEK STRATA

Steps:

• Melt butter in 1-quart saucepan over medium heat. Cook leeks in butter about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened; remove from heat.
• Cut enough bread into 1-inch cubes to measure 5 cups. Mix bread cubes, leeks, chicken and dill weed. Spread bread mixture in ungreased square baking dish, 8x8x2 inches. Sprinkle with cheese. Mix remaining ingredients; pour over cheese. Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 4 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 325°F. Uncover and bake 50 to 55 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

CHIVE AND BRIE STRATA

Steps:

• Generously butter two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Place bread in very large bowl. Pour 4 cups milk over. Let bread soak until soft, about 10 minutes. Squeeze bread slices over same bowl, extracting as much milk as possible. Transfer bread to medium bowl. Transfer milk from bowl to 2-cup measuring cup. If necessary, add more milk to equal 1 1/3 cups total. Return milk to very large bowl. Add eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper to milk; whisk to blend well.
• Arrange 1/4 of bread in each prepared pan. Sprinkle 1/2 cup chives over each. Sprinkle each with 1/4 of Brie cheese, then 2 tablespoons parsley and 2 tablespoons tarragon. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons Swiss cheese over each. Top each with half of remaining bread. Pour half of milk-egg mixture over each. Sprinkle 1/2 cup chives, 1/4 of Brie, 2 tablespoons parsley and 2 tablespoons tarragon over each. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons Swiss cheese and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese over each. Dot each with 1 tablespoon butter. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake puddings uncovered until puffed and deep golden brown on top, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve.

TURKEY LEEK STRATA

Steps:

• In 1-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook leeks in butter about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened; remove from heat.
• Mix bread cubes, leeks, turkey and dill weed. Spread bread mixture in ungreased square baking dish, 8x8x2 inches. Sprinkle with cheese. Mix remaining ingredients; pour over cheese. Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 4 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 325°F. Uncover and bake 50 to 55 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

LEEK SOUP WITH BRIE TOASTS

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, saute the leeks, mushrooms, tarragon and pepper in 2 tablespoons butter for 8-10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in flour until blended; gradually add broth and cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Place bread slices on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Spread one side of each slice with 1/2 teaspoon butter. Place Brie on buttered side of toasts. , Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Ladle soup into six 8-oz. bowls; place two toasts in each bowl.

BRIE AND LEEK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375*F.
• Trim the crusts from the bread slcies and lay them on 2 baking sheets in a single layer.
• Drizzle with 3 tbls.
• of the olive oil.
• Bake until crisp and golden-5 to 7 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and rub one side of each slice with the cut side of the garlic.
• Heat the remaining tbls.
• of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat.
• Add the leeks, sugar, salt, and pepper, stir to coat, and saute until lightly browned-about 5 minutes.
• Add the water, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until soft-about 10 minutes more.
• Set aside.
• Spread each slice of toast on the garlic-coated side with an equal amount of brie, discarding the rind.
• Cut each slice in half to form 2 rectangles.
• Lay the leeks on one half and top with the other half.
• (If desired, cut in half again to form squares.) Place on a baking sheet.
• *Atthis point the sandwiches can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 8 hours.
• Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted-3 to 4 minutes from room temperature, 5 to 6 minutes from the refrigerator.
• Makes 16 sandwiches.
• Enjoy!