Spicy Strata Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN CORNBREAD STRATA WITH CREAMY SPICY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the Southwestern cornbread strata: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 10-by-12-inch baking dish and place on a baking sheet. Set aside.
• Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the cornbread, press to submerge, and let stand, stirring once or twice to soak the cornbread evenly and thoroughly.
• Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the sausage, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Add the onion, bell pepper and poblano to the drippings in the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned in spots and soft, about 5 minutes.
• Stir the sausage and onion mixture into the cornbread mixture. Stir in the chopped cilantro, 3/4 cup of the Cheddar and 3/4 cup of the Monterey Jack. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish, dot with the goat cheese and sprinkle on the cotija and remaining 1/4 cups Cheddar and Monterey Jack. Bake until the edges are puffed and lightly golden brown and the center still jiggles slightly, about 40 minutes.
• For the tomato sauce: While the strata bakes, heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Stir in the tomatoes and chipotle and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is reduced by half and thickened, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a blender and puree until creamy, venting the top of the blender to allow steam to escape. Return the sauce to the saucepan over low heat, and whisk in the crema and salt and pepper to taste; let the sauce heat through and then remove from the heat. Stir in the lime juice and cover to keep warm.
• Let the strata rest for about 10 minutes, then serve with the creamy spicy tomato sauce, garnishing each serving with some of the whole cilantro leaves.

EASY SAUSAGE STRATA

Steps:

• Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, and set aside.
• Layer bread cubes, sausage, and Cheddar cheese in a lightly greased 7x11 inch baking dish. In a bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, salt, and mustard. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cube mixture. Cover, and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake 50 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

FLUFFY STRATA RECIPE (OVERNIGHT BREAKFAST CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• Set out a large mixing bowl and a 9X13 inch (3 quart) baking dish. Grease the baking dish. Chop all necessary ingredients.
• In the mixing bowl, add the eggs, milk, salt, ground mustard, and garlic powder. Whisk well to break up all the yolks. Then stir in the cheeses, ham, scallions, and roasted red pepper.
• Tear the bread loaf into 1-2 inch chunks and place them in the baking dish.
• Pour the egg mixture over the top of the bread. Use a spatula to fold the bread over, gently, to make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed. Cover and chill until ready to bake.
• Let the strata recipe rest for at least one hour, so the bread soaks up all the eggs. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. (This is a fabulous make-ahead overnight recipe, so you can also preheat the oven in the morning.)
• Bake, uncovered, for 50-60 minutes, until the top is golden-brown and puffy in the center. Insert a sharp knife into the center to check that the eggs are set. If not, bake another 5-10 minutes. Then cool for 5 minutes before cutting. Serve warm!

SPICY SAUSAGE AND VEGETABLE STRATA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook sausage, onion and bell pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink.
• Carefully drain off extra grease.
• In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and mustard.
• Stir in remaining ingredients.
• Transfer to a greased 9x13 inch pan.
• Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
• Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking; keeping the foil on.
• Bake at 350 degrees 40 minutes.
• Uncover and bake 40 to 45 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

SPICY JALAPEñO PEPPER STRATA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Add eggs; beat until blended. Add milk; mix well. Stir in bread, cheese and peppers.
• Pour into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate several hours.
• Bake 1 hour or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

SPICY SAUSAGE-VEGETABLE STRATA

Steps:

• Cook sausage and onion in 10-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain well.
• Arrange bread slices in ungreased rectangular baking dish, 11x7x1 1/2 inches, cutting to fit if necessary. Spread sausage mixture over bread. Top with bell peppers and zucchini.
• Beat eggs and ricotta cheese in medium bowl, using fork, until blended. Stir in milk. Pour over mixture in baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• About 1 hour before serving, heat oven to 350°F. Uncover and bake 45 to 55 minutes or until top is puffed and center is set. Serve immediately.

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.