Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sage Strata - Savory Layered Bread Pudding Breakfast Casserole - 52 Breakfast Ideas


"Starta" is an Italian word that means layers.

A STRATA Dish calls for separate layers of a little bit of bread pudding (the bottom), a middle layer of  a little bit of Filling (in this case a mic of Sage Sausage and a few vegetables (Onions, Celery, Bell Peppers) and all topped with a baked cheese omelette (A FRITTATA if you want another Italian word).

All this sounds very Italian but in fact, the good old US of A can lay claim to the dish.  FIrst appearing in cookbooks at the turn of the last century (the 1900's) and not really becoming popular until the 1980's.

OK, enough history.  Basically a Strata is a layered dish.  most of the time an egg style dish.

And that's exactly what this dish is, layers of bread pudding texture, layers of filling and all topped with a new and different textured egg dish.  Only takes a few minutes of hands on work, a perfect way to get a breakfast style meal into a dinner (although makes a heck of a breakfast as well.

Enjoy


OK... Here's what I did...


Sage Strata - Savory Layered Bread Pudding Breakfast Casserole


Ingredients
  • 1 Pound Sage Sausage,Browned
  • 2 TBS Butter
  • 1 Medium Green Pepper, Diced
  • 1/2 Large Sweet Onion, Diced
  • 2 Stalks Celery, Diced
  • 2 Cups Day old Bread, Cubed
  • 4 Ounces Cheddar Cheese, Grated and divided, safing about 1/2 a cup of cheese to top the casserole.
  • 3 Cups 1/2 and 1/2 (can substitute Whole Milk)
  • 12 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 TBS Dijon Mustard
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
Cooking Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 Degrees, Prepare a 9X13 Baking dish with non-stick spray. (Or for presentation, prepare individual oven safe baking dishes as shown in photos).
  2. Brown the Sausage, Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium Saute pan, Melt the butter of medium high heat. Add the Onions,Peppers and Celery and saute for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and the onions turn translucent, Mix with the Sausage.
  4. Meanwhile, whisk together eggs, 1/2 and 1/2 (or milk), Mustard and salt and pepper.
  5. Spread a layer of the bread cubes on the bottom of the Casserole dish(es). Note... The more stale the bread cubes the better. If using fresh bread, take a few minutes to toast the cubes in a 200 degree oven. This helps the bread to absorb the egg mix.
  6. Pour about 1/2 of the egg mix on top of the bread.
  7. Add a layer of about 3/4 of the Cheese.
  8. Add the Sausage vegetable mix on top of the soggy bread.
  9. Top with remaining egg mix.
  10. Top with remaining cheese.
  11. Bake for 1 hour until egg top is set and the top is golden brown and delicious. If making individual servings, check at 45 minutes and each additional 5 minutes until desired doneness.
  12. Serve HOT from the Oven and ENJOY!!!

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This simple recipe has been added to my growing list of "52 Breakfast Ideas!"

It's the most important meal of the day.  From fancy to simple, there are always ways to dress up a breakfast dish.  These are the meals that make Bed and Breakfast Inns legendary (and usually easier than you think).

Here's your chance to make your guests Ooh and Aah!

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