Ocean Spray Cranberried Monte Cristo Strata Recipes

MONTE CRISTO STRATA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Generously grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with shortening or cooking spray.
• Place layer of bread slices in bottom of baking dish. Brush with 2 tablespoons of the mustard. Top with half of the ham slices, then sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded cheese and 1 tablespoon of the sage. Repeat layers, reserving last 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese.
• In large bowl, beat eggs with whisk, then add milk and ground pepper; beat to combine. Carefully and evenly pour egg mixture over layers in baking dish, making sure bread absorbs most of the liquid. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and 1 tablespoon fresh sage.
• Cover dish with sheet of greased foil. Let stand 30 minutes before baking.
• Bake about 35 minutes or until dish is baked through and bubbly. Remove foil, and bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese on top is lightly golden.
• Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

CRANBERRIED MONTE CRISTO STRATA

Steps:

• Spray 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Using serrated knife, cut baguette into 1/2-inch slices. Toast both sides until crisp and golden brown around edges.
• Mix 1/2 cup cranberry sauce and the mustard in small bowl. Spread over 1 side toasted baguette slices. Arrange half of slices, cranberry side up, in bottom of dish, overlapping if necessary. Sprinkle evenly with turkey, ham and cheese. Top with remaining toast, cranberry side down.
• Combine eggs, milk, salt, pepper and pepper sauce in large bowl; whisk until well blended and slightly frothy. Pour egg mixture carefully into baking dish, making sure bread is soaked with liquid. Cover; refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Uncover baking dish. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until puffed and top is slightly golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, blend remaining cranberry sauce and the vinegar in small bowl. Just before serving, sift powdered sugar over strata. Top each serving with dollop of cranberry mixture.

MONTE CRISTO STRATA

Steps:

• Spray a 9x13x2-inch baking pan with the non-stick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, hot sauce, and dry mustard until well blended.
• Arrange as much of the bread pieces as you can in a single layer in the prepared pan. Top, in layers, with the turkey, ham, and 1/2 of the cheese. Top with the remaining bread pieces, and pour on the egg mixture, tilting the pan to make sure all the bread is coated. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, when you are ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is preheating, take the strata out of the refrigerator, remove the plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature until the oven is ready. Bake until puffed and golden, about 45 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing into squares.