Cucina Linda

Got a bunch for brunch? Want time to relax and enjoy your guests? The answer can be found in a Strata.

Strata is Italian for layers, and if you can make a sandwich and beat an egg, they are a no-brainer.

In the true spirit of southern hospitality, Lauriejim is hosting Christmas bunch for 50 or 75 of her closest friends and relatives!!! I'll give a basic recipe for 12...just make some extra pans, or divide the recipe and use a smaller pan for a smaller group. Everything is put together the night before, so it can just be popped into the oven in the morning.

Basic Ham and Cheese Strata (for 12)

Large loaf of bread, preferrably day old
12 ozs ham
12 ozs grated cheese
12 ozs cooked vegetables, or frozen, thawed (optional)

Dozen Eggs (12)
1 quart half and half cream
1 tsp mustard (or 1/2 tsp dried)
few drops of hot sauce to taste

Grease a 13"x9"x2" pan.

Slice bread. You may remove crusts...you will get a lighter texture, and a better rise. If you don't remove the crusts (I never do), cut the bread into quarters. Lay a single layer in pan, squishing in to cover bottom.

Dice ham, or cut into strips, add layer.

Add vegetables--broccolli, asparagus and spinach work especially well with ham

Top with 12 ozs of grated cheese...cheddar is my favourite for this variation.

Top with layer of bread.

Lightly beat eggs, add cream, mustard, pepper and hot sauce. Pour over, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Next day, bake for 45 to 60 minutes at 350 degrees farenheit, until a knife inserted near centre comes out clean. (melted cheese is okay).

Let rest 10 to 15 minutes, cut in squares and serve.

Variations

Use cooked sausage or well drained and crumbled bacon for the ham.

Italian:
Pepperoni, drained sun-dried tomates, black olives and grated provolone or mozzarella cheese.

Reuben:
Use rye or pumpernickel bread, shredded pastrami and drained jarred sauerkraut with swiss cheese.

Smoked Salmon:
use about 8ozs of smoked salmon, thinly sliced red onion and capers with finely cubed cream cheese. Cooked aparagus works nicely with this. Serve with lemon wedges.

Southwest:
Cornbread with sauted peppers, seasoned ground beef and salsa with Monterey Jack.

Sweet:
Omit mustard, pepper and hot sauce from egg mixture. Add 1 tbsp sugar and 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon. Layer some thinly sliced apples, a few raisins and about 1/2 cup of sprinkled brown sugar.